Sanju Samson returned to India’s T20I playing XI in style, marking his comeback match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with two big milestones. Returning to the team after warming the bench for five games, Samson, replacing injured Shubman Gill as the opener, brought up 8,000 runs in T20 cricket and completed 1,000 runs in T20Is. This was Samson’s first T20I appearance since the Australia tour in October.
The Kerala batter became the seventh Indian to reach the 8,000-run mark in T20s and joined an elite list that includes Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, Suresh Raina and KL Rahul. He also became the 14th Indian batter to score 1,000 runs in T20Is. He reached both landmarks in style, hitting Marco Jansen for a gigantic six over long-on.
Indian batters to score 8000 runs in men’s T20s
Virat Kohli – 13,543 runs, 414 matches
Rohit Sharma – 12,248 runs, 463 matches
Shikhar Dhawan – 9,797 runs, 334 matches
Suryakumar Yadav – 8,970 runs, 345 matches
Suresh Raina – 8,654 runs, 336 matches
KL Rahul – 8,125 runs, 239 matches
Sanju Samson – 8000*, 319 matches
Samson took 679 balls to reach 1000 T20I runs, which is the fourth fastest behind Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.
Fewest balls to reach 1000 T20I runs for India
528 – Abhishek Sharma
573 – Suryakumar Yadav
679 – Hardik Pandya
679 – Sanju Samson*
686 – KL Rahul
690 – Tilak Varma
Can Samson make the most of the rare opportunity?
Samson will look to make the most of the opportunity after being out of favour in recent months despite a strong finish to 2024. He replaced injured and out-of-form Shubman Gill for the Ahmedabad T20I, and a big score might just be the opening he has longed for a while now.
Gill sustained the injury ahead of the Lucknow T20I, prompting India to make three changes. The T20I vice-captain scored just 32 runs in the first three games.
As the series concludes on Friday, all eyes will be on the selectors who will announce the T20 World Cup squad on SaturdayDecember 20. Though Samson will most likely be part of the squad, a big knock in Ahmedabad will boost his chances of cementing his spot in the playing XI for the showpiece event, scheduled to be hosted next year by India and Sri Lanka.
Earlier, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl as the Proteas made one change to their side, bringing in spin all-rounder George Linde to replace fast bowler Anrich Nortje.
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