Sanju Samson made history on Friday, smashing his third century of the year during India’s commanding 135-run win over South Africa in the final T20I at Johannesburg. India secured a 3-1 victory in the four-match series, with Samson becoming the first player in T20I history to hit three centuries in a calendar year. He also joined England’s Phil Salt as the only players to record two hundreds in a single T20I series.
Samson, alongside Tilak Varma, put on a spectacular show, adding an unbeaten 210-run partnership for the second wicket. Together, they hammered 19 sixes, with Tilak hitting 10 and Samson contributing 9.
During the 10th over, Samson’s slog-swept six off Tristian Stubbs hit a young spectator in the face after rebounding off the stadium railing. The girl, visibly shaken and in tears, was assisted by fellow spectators with an ice pack. Upon noticing, Samson raised his hand in apology.
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Samson’s hundred followed his 107 in the Durban opener, marking his dominance in the series. For the first time in men’s T20I cricket, two batters—Samson and Varma—scored centuries in the same innings between full ICC members.
With three T20I hundreds, Samson now surpasses KL Rahul’s tally and trails only Rohit Sharma (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (3) among Indians. His incredible run includes three centuries in his last five innings, despite consecutive ducks earlier in the series.
Tilak Varma also shone with his second consecutive hundred, blasting 102 off 50 balls, including 10 sixes and 9 fours, underscoring India’s dominance in the series decider.