Sanju Samson hits first century of 2021 Indian Premier League

The Rajasthan Royals captain struck 119 runs off 63 deliveries and passed 2,000 runs for the franchise during his side’s four-run defeat against Punjab Kings

The Cricketer | 12/04/2021 at 19:29

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson hit the first century of the 2021 Indian Premier League as his side fell four runs short of victory against Punjab Kings.

The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 119 runs off 63 deliveries, including 12 fours and seven sixes, and brought up his century in swashbuckling fashion. Dispensing Jhye Richardson for a four and a six to start the 18th over, he then scythed a wide full-toss down towards third man for four to move into three figures off 54 deliveries.

However, the 26-year-old couldn’t see his side over the line. Needing five runs from the final two deliveries, he opted against a single off the penultimate ball to retain the strike, before being caught by Deepak Hooda in the outfield as he went for an audacious six.

This was the third IPL century of Samson’s career, and also his fastest. He struck his first almost exactly four years ago on April 11, 2017 with an impressive 102 off 63 deliveries for Delhi Daredevils against Rising Pune Supergiant.

Captain. 💗#HallaBol | #RRvPBKS | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/Jy3GE9odab
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 12, 2021

His second followed two years later for Rajasthan Royals in 2019 – an unbeaten 102 off 55 deliveries against Sunrisers Hyderabad – and was also the first triple-digit knock of that tournament.

In scoring his century, Samson became the 22nd player – and the third for Rajasthan Royals – to score 2,000 runs for a single franchise, mirroring the achievement of Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul earlier in the match.

Samson has now struck 2,026 runs for Rajasthan Royals, placing him behind only Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson on the club’s all-time list, and 2,703 in his IPL career.

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