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 the 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 sunglasses 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 precarious position.

The Duleep Trophy continues to be a platform for young and emerging Indian cricketers 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 Samson gets to his maiden Duleep Trophy hundred and in just 95 balls 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! 👌#SanjuSamson #DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/DigVga3Gz9

— Mukesh Yaduvanshi (@MukeshK41236647) September 20, 2024

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson smashed a century in Duleep Trophy #SanjuSamsonpic.twitter.com/VSvhw9k3GA

— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) September 20, 2024

Sanju Samson 💯Show his Potential 🔥🔥
Royals On Fire Mode
Halla Bol❤️ #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/7lgau8FrFU

— Arvind 🇮🇳 (@arvi489) September 20, 2024

Sanju Samson 🔥 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/0ELMBCzBd7

— sangeerth (@sangeerthk16) September 20, 2024

‼️HUNDRED BY SANJU SAMSON. ‼️

– Just 95 balls to reach his 11th First Class century, a top knock in the Duleep Trophy. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vipvnSEZeh

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 20, 2024

It was a Sanju Samson Show™️ and we were seated! 💗🔥💯 pic.twitter.com/xmco3KJMSA

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 20, 2024

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, haters! 🤫🤫 SANJU SAMSON has just scored a century! 💯#SanjuSamson #DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/eQHfGD39fX

— Sanju9 (@yash_sanju9) September 20, 2024

Century for the beast in just 101 deliveries

Sanju Samson is backkk 💥 pic.twitter.com/NvKWzFNGFE

— Chinmay Shah (@chinmayshah28) September 20, 2024

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. #SanjuSamson #DuleepTrophy2024 pic.twitter.com/8N82eUhJvZ

— A & K (@badjocker1020) September 20, 2024

Sanju Samson delivers a stunning performance with his maiden Duleep Trophy hundred, reaching the milestone in just 95 balls, featuring 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… pic.twitter.com/4heHle28vZ

— Ishika Das (@NabajyotiB71237) September 20, 2024

Also READ: Shams Mulani’s all-round heroics seals the victory for India A over India D in Duleep Trophy 2024

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