Finally, Sanju Samson returned to the Indian side as the elegant batter got a chance to play against Ireland in the absence of injured Ruturaj Gaikwad. On Tuesday, India are up against Ireland in the 2nd T20I of the series at the Village, Dublin.
The Indian skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first. Soon, a massive roar was heard from the Indian crowd as Pandya announced that Sanju Samson was a part of the Indian playing XI in place of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out of the game because of an injury.
Sanju Samson has always faced massive criticism because of his inconsistencies and failure to convert his talent into scores at the international level. Despite all the talent he has, the Kerala batter has never been able to replicate his IPL performances in the Indian jersey.
The wicketkeeper-batter came to open the batting alongside Ishan Kishan on Tuesday and made the opportunity count. He looked at his usual best as the bat flow was wonderful to watch.
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Sanju Samson scores his maiden T20I fifty against Ireland
Ever since his debut, the 27-year-old has been consistently-inconsistent in the national colours. Prior to this game, Samson has never crossed the fifty-run mark in 13 games he had played.
However, he looked in a tremendous touch during the second game against the home side. After the early wicket of Ishan Kishan, the Rajasthan Royals stitched a record-breaking partnership of 176 runs off 85 deliveries alongside Deepak Hooda for the 2nd wicket.
In the process, he also completed his first-ever international half-century. He reached the milestone off just 31 deliveries. After completing his fifty, Samson went berserk and scored 77 runs off 42 deliveries, including nine boundaries and four maximums.
The fans could not keep calm after witnessing such a wonderful knock from the youngster as they took Twitter to praise his batting prowess.
Check out the best of the Tweets here:
Finally after 7 years and 14 games a well made fifty👏
Sanju ❤#SanjuSamson #indvsire pic.twitter.com/GCcEtl2Y3R
— Abhi (@Nandu___98) June 28, 2022
Grabbing the opportunity well 👏 @IamSanjuSamson
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 28, 2022
At last. My man. 🥹 #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/FRd7AAZ6oo
— Goku🔮 (@SavariiGiriGiri) June 28, 2022
Highest Partnership for India in Outside Asia
176 – Samson/Hooda vs IRE*
160 – Rohit/Dhawan vs IRE
136 – Gambhir/Sehwag vs ENG
134 – Kohli/Raina vs AUS
123 – Rohit/Rahul vs ENG#SanjuSamson#DeepakHooda#IREvIND— Arman Malik (@Armanmalik9582) June 28, 2022
Standing ovation for Sanju Samson from crowd during second T20I Ireland vs India #SanjuSamson truly deserve it.
— RaVichar (@raavichaar) June 28, 2022
Fan base of Sanju samson#SanjuSamson #INDvsirl pic.twitter.com/3U7U4pFGMs
— #banganguli (@dsgurja27125050) June 28, 2022
SANJU grabbing the opportunity be like #IREvIND #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/xR7zC4VuPM
— Starlord (@StarlordXIX) June 28, 2022
🔥🔥😜#SanjuSamson#INDvIRE pic.twitter.com/C88WB8zn7u
— Vignesh Vicky💛 (@Itz_vicky228) June 28, 2022
