Duleep Trophy Match 2024, India D vs India B: On a thrilling second day of the Duleep Trophy 2024 encounter between India D and India B, Sanju Samson illuminated the cricketing field in Anantapur with his eleventh First-Class century. This stellar performance not only showcased his exceptional batting skills but also solidified his position among the elite players from Kerala, now third in the all-time list of FC hundreds, trailing only Sachin Baby and Rohan Prem. It is worth noting here that initially overlooked in the original squad for the Duleep Trophy, Samson was later brought in as a replacement and has now went on to seize the chance by scoring this master century.
A masterclass in counter-attacking cricket
Samson’s innings was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket, featuring 11 boundaries and three soaring sixes that captivated fans and left bowlers scrambling. He entered the fray after a rare duck from skipper Shreyas Iyer, bringing a sense of urgency to the innings. After a brief but effective partnership with Ricky Bhui, who contributed a solid fifty, Samson seized control alongside Saransh Jain, propelling India D to a commendable 306/5 at the close of Day 1.
The momentum continued into Day 2, despite an early loss of Saransh. With Saurabh Kumar by his side, Samson showcased his aggressive prowess, reaching his century in just 95 balls. This achievement not only put India D in a commanding position against India B but also reaffirmed Samson’s reputation as a game-changing player. As the crowd roared in approval, it was clear that this day would be etched in the annals of cricket history.
This century from Sanju Samson is sure to reignite the debate over the limited opportunities given to the Kerala batter in the India team. Although he has been part of the white-ball setup over the past few years, his chances have been inconsistent. Recently, he missed out on a spot in the ODI squad, despite scoring a century in the series-deciding match against South Africa in Paarl.