Sanju Samson flays one through the off-side during the IPL match against Rising Pune Supergiant in Pune on Tuesday. IANSSanju Samson produced a special knock to fashion Delhi Daredevils' thumping win over Rising Pune Supergiant in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday. The Kerala batsman's 63-ball 102 was a timely innings as it helped Delhi put their campaign back on track after a disappointing loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in their opening match.
It was redemption for Sanju as his ill-timed stroke put pressure on the Delhi lower order and despite Rishabh Pant's heroics they went down by 15 runs to RCB in Bengaluru.
Read also: Blessed to be a part of Daredevils: Sanju
But in Pune, Sanju was determined to prove a point to himself and the world. Walking in at No. 3 after the loss of Aditya Tare in the second over, the 22-year-old seized the early initiative with a flurry of classy boundaries. Sanju hit six fours off the first 14 balls he faced and his driving through the off-side was simply exquisite.
After the departure of Sam Billings, Sanju was involved in a crucial stand with another dashing wicketkeeper-batsman Pant before he cut loose in the death overs. Sanju waded into medium-pacer Ashok Dinda and became the second youngest player after Manish Pandey to score an IPL hundred. The way he timed the onslaught testified to his growing maturity.
Sanju had struggled in the domestic competitions this season. He failed to make a single significant contribution after the hundred in the Ranji Trophy opener against Jammu and Kashmir, and was subsequently dropped from the squad owing to poor form and alleged indiscipline. He was later let off with a warning by the Kerala Cricket Association.
One man who has stood behind the talented lad through the good and bad times is former Indian captain Rahul Dravid. Dravid was Sanju's captain at Rajasthan Royals when he burst onto the scene in the 2013 IPL. Dravid, who is the Daredevils' mentor as well as the Indian under-19 and 'A' team coach, has always had immense belief in Sanju's abilities. Now, the youngster has justified the faith Dravid reposed in him with a match-winning hundred.
The key for Sanju is to carry on the good work in the coming matches so that he can put his hand up for the wicketkeeper-batsman's slot in the Indian team. Pant has caught the eye with his aggressive batting, while Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik have made merry on the domestic circuit and are knocking on the doors for a recall to the national side. Wriddhiman Saha has cemented his place in the Test team and the Bengal player is pulling his weight in the limited over versions too. Even the great M.S. Dhoni will be feeling the pressure as he carries on as the No. 1 choice in the shorter formats of the game.
Yes, Sanju is only 22, but Pant is even younger at 19 and the two Daredevil teammates will be well aware of the importance of grabbing the chances this IPL.
