Sanju Samson marked a significant personal milestone during India’s fourth T20 International against the West Indies on Wednesday in Hyderabad, despite the team’s overall defeat. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman struck 56 runs from just 23 balls, including six fours and four sixes, making him only the sixth Indian player to reach 100 sixes in T20 internationals.
Samson joined the ranks of prominent Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Abhishek Sharma with this achievement. His tally now stands at 102 sixes in the format, with Rohit Sharma leading the Indian list at 205 sixes, followed by Suryakumar Yadav (179), Abhishek Sharma (141), Hardik Pandya (126), and Virat Kohli (124).
The milestone came when Samson dispatched his second six of the innings off bowler Shamar Joseph. Additionally, the 31-year-old equaled his personal best for the fastest fifty in T20 internationals, reaching the half-century mark in just 20 balls, a record he first set against Afghanistan in Delhi last September. Known for his aggressive batting style, Samson’s quick scoring underlined his capacity to shift the momentum of the game sharply in favor of his team.
Despite Samson’s explosive performance, India struggled to keep pace with the formidable target of 248 set by the West Indies. Samson’s innings ended when he was dismissed by Keemo Paul, and India ultimately fell short in the chase. While Samson’s accomplishments highlighted his individual prowess, the team was unable to convert the strong start into a victory.
