Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was all reward for Sanju Samson after the guests defeated South Africa within the three-match ODI collection on Thursday. Samson hit a maiden worldwide century to arrange a 78-run for India within the collection decider in Paarl. The wicketkeeper-batter made 108 off 114 balls, smashing six fours and three sixes, as India posted a complete of 296/8 after being invited to bat. The knock got here as an enormous aid for Samson, who has not in a position to cement his place within the crew, regardless of boasting a mean of over 50 within the format.

Manjrekar hailed Samson for protecting his pure instincts in test, including that his admiration for the participant has grown considerably following the knock in Paarl.

“Had Sanju Samson got a blazing 100 in 80 balls, you would have said well done Sanju! But that he came into bat in the 5th over & got his 100 in the 44th over & played to the team needs, seemingly against his nature, my admiration for Samson has grown considerably today,” Manjrekar posted on social media platform X.

Had Sanju Samson bought a blazing 100 in 80 balls, you’d have stated effectively executed Sanju! But that he got here into bat within the fifth over & bought his 100 within the forty fourth over & performed to the crew wants, seemingly in opposition to his nature, my admiration for Samson has grown significantly right this moment!

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 21, 2023

Manjrekar additionally labelled Samson “as the find of the series”.

“Sanju Samson was the biggest find of the series for India because we have been waiting for this moment for many years,” Manjrekar informed ESPNcricinfo.

Samson was ignored for the ODI World Cup in India with selectors preferring to go along with the likes of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav regardless of the Kerala batter averaging 55.7 at a strike price of 104 in 13 ODI innings.

The participant admitted that the previous couple of months have been mentally difficult for him.

“The last three, four months were challenging for me mentally,” Sanju stated after the 78-run win on Thursday.

“So going through all that and coming here I think doing what I did today, I think I feel really happy and grateful.” Samson was additionally not picked for the Asian Games, indicating that he’s actually low within the selectors’ pecking order.

“Honestly, I think I was not looking at the scorecard. Until I had a partnership with Tilak till then I just wanted to play and like go with the merit. I just watched the ball and bat and the boundaries and the scoring options ultimately happened.

“So I used to be simply centered on the method and enjoying one ball at a time after which I feel the scorecard saved on ticking.

(With PTI Inputs)