India vs Bangladesh: Sanju Samson runs amok with a 111-run knock

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Sanju Samson batted like a man possessed to smash the Bangladesh bowlers as if it was a throwdown session at the Uppal in Hyderabad. On Saturday night, when there was a festive zing in the City of Nizams, Samson, who is described in the Holy Bible as a warrior with immense strength, plundered 111 runs, a knock which left the Bangladesh bowlers torn and in tatters.

People talk of strike rate and so on in white ball cricket, but this was all about striking so hard, the 11 fours and eight sixes was breathtaking. The cricketing world almost came to a stop, what with a women's ICC World Cup now on in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates.

This T20 series between India and Bangladesh had already been sealed in New Delhi, yet, given the format, there is still so much for fans to soak in on a Dussehra holiday. Cricket is no longer about contests between batters and bowlers.

Now, it is heavily loaded in favour of the batters where strength is defined in a physical sense as well as tonking sixes and hammering fours. Nobody sheds a tear for the bowlers, though, personally for Sanju Samson, this was a chance for him to flex his biceps as well.

Indian cricket is in a state of flux, especially the T20 format. Post-retirement of three superstars, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, there are any number of claimants for the roles up for grabs. Sanju got his chance as Yashasvi Jaiswal was rested.

The Rajasthan Royals star knows he is not the first choice so he has to keep proving himself whenever given a chance. The best part is how Sanju was allowed the freedom by the team to come up with a knock which defined him as explosive. There was no pressure when he batted, and credit for this will got coach Gautam Gambhir, who was watching the match like a student.

Not to forget, skipper Suryakumar Yadav was himself there at the other end to ensure Sanju continued his demolition act, with Rishad Hossain suffering maximum damage. To be smashed around the stadium is demoralising. Way back, when Desert Storm happened and Sachin Tendulkar had bamboozled Late Shane Warne, the Aussie said he had sleepless nights. What Sanju Samson did to Rishad was no different.

It was not just Sanju alone who made life miserable for Bangladesh as even a total of 300 looked possible in a T20 match. Such scores were dreamt of earlier in an ODI. But then, with SKY and even Hardik Pandya ready to launch the maximum, the run feast was sumptuous.

First things first, Sanju Samson has been criticised far too often for not having done as well as he does in the IPL. That's a bit unfair as this Kerala cricketer who has embraced Rajasthan Royals as his home team and Jaipur as his base has been under constant scrutiny. To not be counted as a proven cricketer and be subjected to examination every now and then, it tests the mettle and mindset.

People forget, in sports, how a champion deals with pressure of performance is important. This is where Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav have allowed Sanju Samson to grab the chance and explode.

For sheer volume of cricket played, many cricketers will get their chances. Sanju knows he is not as young as a Nitish Reddy or Mayank Yadav, Young Turks who are proving themselves recently. There is still a fair chance in the race to be second choice as wicket keeper batter, Sanju Samson can still be counted by the selectors.

He has to keep going, though a 111 in a T20 international will not happen every night! When the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year saw Nepal score 314 for 3 against Mongolia, it was obscene. The ground was small, plus these two teams are not regulars in international cricket.

India vs Bangladesh is supposed to be serious stuff, though the visitors look pathetic. One man has caused them grief, Sanju Samson. Replays of his 111 will be viewed over and over again for its creativity and arrogance.