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The Duleep Trophy 2024 witnessed a thrilling showdown between India D and India B at the Rural Development Trust Stadium B in Anantapur. The match, which concluded on Friday, was marked by exceptional performances from Sanju Samson and Navdeep Saini, two prominent figures in the𝐆 Indian cricket landscape.
Sanju Samson’s century powers India D out of danger
Batting at number six, Samson played a pivotal role in India D’s innings. Coming to the crease after the team had lost two quick wickets, his aggressive approach immediately set the tone. He launched a calculated assault on the India B bowlers, peppering the boundary with his elegant strokes.
Samson’s century, his 11th in first-class cricket, was a masterpiece of timing and precision. He showcased his power hitting scoring 106 runs facing 101 deliveries with three sixes and his finesse with 12 fours. His partnership with Ricky Bhui helped steady India D’s ship, and his subsequent association with Saransh Jain propelled the team past the 300-run mark.
Also READ: Fans react as Shreyas Iyer’s sunglasღses swag falls flat with a 7-ball duck in the Duleep Trophy 2024
Navdeep Saini’s five-for strikes back for India B
While Samson’s century provided India D with a solid foundation, Saini’s bowling performance ensured that India B remained in the contest. Saini, who has been a consistent performer in first-class cricket, delivered a spell of 5/74 to derail India D’s innings. His fifth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket showcased his ability to swing the ball both ways and extract bounce from the pitch.
Saini’s most significant contribution came in the form of dismissing Samson, who was caught by Nitish Kumar Reddy. He then cleaned up India D’s lower order, picking up the wickets of Akash Sengupta and Arshdeep Singh to complete his five-for. India D’s last five wickets fell for just 42 runs, with Saini playing a key role in all of those dismissals.
Other notable performances from the match
Apart from Samson and Saini, several other players made significant contributions to the match. Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat, and Ricky Bhui scored half-centuries for India D, while Rahul Chahar picked up three wickets for India B.
In the other last-round match, Avesh Khan scored his second fifty in first-class cricket for India A against India C. His unbeaten knock of 51 from 68 balls helped India A post a respectable total. Avesh’s partnership with Shashwat Rawat was crucial in rescuing 🎶India A from a pꦇrecarious position.
The Duleep Trophy continues to be a platform for young and emerging Indian crick🐻eters to showcase their ꦺtalent. The performances of Samson and Saini in this particular match serve as a testament to their skills and potential.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Sanju Sa𒁃mson gets to his maiden Duleep Trophy hundred and in just 95 ꦚballs including 11 fours and 3 sixes. 👏
This is what you call a comeback in 'Sanju Samson' style, He is back with a bang. 😎🔥🔥
What a knock by Sanju! 👌
— Mukesh Yaduvanshi (@MukeshK41236647)
Mea🥀nwhile, Sanju Samso෴n smashed a century in Duleep Trophy
— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_)
Sanju Samson 💯Show his Potential 🔥🔥
Royals On Fire Mode
Halla Bol❤️— Arvind 🇮🇳 (@arvi489)
Sanju Samson 🔥 👏 👏
— sangeerth (@sangeerthk16)
‼️HUNDRED BY SANJU SAMSON. ‼️
– Just 95 balls to reach his 11th First Class century, a top knock in the Duleep Trophy. 👏
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
It wa💎s aಞ Sanju Samson Show™️ and we were seated! 💗🔥💯
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
This is for the people who said Sanju's career is over. This is for the people who said Sanju can't play red-ball cricket. This is for the people who said Sanju should retire.
Just shut up, hatersꦡ! 🤫🤫 SANJU SAMSON has j🐠ust scored a century! 💯
— Sanju9 (@yash_sanju9)
Century for the beast in just 101 deliveries
Sanju Samson is backkk 💥
— Chinmay Shah (@chinmayshah28)
What a inning by Sanju Samson under pressure came when team was in trouble he came and just dominant all the bowlers this is the mindset which is needed in today's cricket.
— A & K (@badjocker1020)
Sanju Samson delivers a stunning performance with his maiden Duleep Trophy hundred, reaching the milestone in just 95 balls, featurin🀅g 11 fours and 3 sixes! 👏
This is a true comeback in 'Sanju Samson' style—he’s back with a bang! What an incredible knock!
Looking forward to…
— Ishika Das (@NabajyotiB71237)