Duleep Trophy 2024: In Anantapur, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson scored a century off 92 balls for India D versus India B, his 11th first-class century. Samson took full advantage of the chance to compete in the national red-ball event.
In the Duleep Trophy first-class game on Friday, September 20, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson scored his first century in just 92 balls while playing for India D against India B. At the beginning of a lengthy domestic season, Samson made a name for himself in red-ball cricket with his eleventh first-class century.
Sanju Samson was not originally included in the Duleep Trophy squads, but due to an injury to Ishan Kishan, the Kerala wicketkeeper was substituted into Team D, which was captained by Shreyas Iyer. After warming the bench in the first round, Samson made 5 and 40 against India A in the second round.
In the third and final round, the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals fully utilized the opportunity. Sanju Samson, batting at number six, ensured that India D’s impressive batting performance persisted. In an aggressive innings against a top-tier India B bowling team that included players like Rahul Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, Samson struck 12 boundaries and three sixes.
Samson effectively played the aggressor in his partnerships with Ricky Bhui and Saransh Jain. With Devdutt Padikkal (50), KS Bharat (52) and Ricky Bhui (56), India D’s top three players all scoring fifty runs, Samson’s century helped India D to a manageable first-inning total of 349.
After an effective start, India D faltered a little as skipper Shreyas Iyer (0) and batsman Nishant Sindhu (19) were removed without any notice. But Samson played a counterattacking innings to ensure that the bowlers for India B did not seize the initiative.
On the first day, Samson was unbeaten at Stumps with an innings of 89, and he quickly reached his hundred on Friday morning. Samson was bowled out by Navdeep Saini for 106 in 101 deliveries.
Sanju Samson’s confidence will soar after reaching 100 ahead of the Ranji Trophy season, which begins in October. In the very competitive Duleep Trophy, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will want to maintain his spot in the running with a solid showing for Kerala following his exposure to red balls.
