The team management has been clear in the last few games that I will open: Sanju Samson

Samson raised the bar in the third T20I against Bangladesh, building on the momentum with a 107 studded with seven fours and a whopping 10 towering sixes.

The 29-year-old's 107 is the highest individual score in a T20I between India and South Africa, surpassing David Miller's unbeaten 106 in Guwahati in 2022.

“When I was playing in the Duleep Trophy, Suryakumar Yadav came to me and said, 'You have the next seven games. You will be the opener in these seven games and I will support you no matter what.' For the first time in my career I have received such clarity and that has given me confidence in the last few games that I will open. Now I just want to focus on contributing to my country “As I can,” Samson said while speaking on Jio Cinema.

Reviewing the game, South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, sent India to bat first after the toss.

Sanju Samson's lightning strike helped India get the game off to a fiery start. The wicketkeeper-batter played a 107-run knock from 50 balls at a strike rate of 214.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and batsman Tilak Varma also played an average knock and took India to 202/8 in the first innings.

Gerald Coetzee led the South African bowling attack after picking up three wickets and scoring 37 runs in his four-over game.

During the run chase, the South African batters did not perform decently. No Proteas batter could cross the 30-run mark as India's bowling attack dominated the innings.

Heinrich Klaasen and Gerald Coetzee were the hosts' best run scorers in the second inning.

The Indian bowling attack led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi put the hosts ahead by 141 with two overs to spare.

Both Varun and Bishnoi picked up three wickets in the game. Samson was named player of the match after his outstanding performance with the bat.

India will face South Africa in the second T20I match of the series in Gqeberha on Sunday.

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