Samson’s rampage guides India to sweep series: Smashes 47-ball 111 in team’s 133-run win over Bangladesh in Hyderabad
India recorded the highest-ever T20I total of 297/6 for any full member side to seal the outcome of the game in the first half itself.
Hyderabad: On a record-breaking night at Hyderabad, Sanju Samson went on an absolute rampage with 47-ball 111, while captain Suryakumar Yadav’s quickfire 75 off 35 balls propelled India to beat Bangladesh in the third T20I, securing a thumping 133-run win to complete a 3-0 clean sweep at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday.
Hyderabad pitch justified its name as batters’ paradise. After being asked to bat first, the home team racked up a massive score of 297/6 in 20 overs, the second-highest score in T20I history, trailing only Nepal’s 314/3 against Mongolia in the Asian Games last year.
The hosts made a sparkling start with Samson launching an early assault on Taskin Ahmed, smashing four consecutive boundaries in the second over. However, Abhishek’s stay was short-lived, as he fell for just four, caught by Mahedi Hasan off Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s bowling.
The arrival of captain Suryakumar brought more fireworks and wasted no time, hitting the first six of the match in the third over. Together, he and Samson put Bangladesh under immense pressure, building a 50-run partnership in just 19 balls. Samson, in particular, looked in sublime touch, reaching his half-century off just 22 balls, marking the fastest fifty for India against Bangladesh.
By the end of the powerplay, India had raced to 82/1, with both Samson and Suryakumar tearing into the Bangladesh attack. The wicket-keeper batter’s aggressive play continued, and he brought up his maiden T20I century in 40 balls, the second-quickest by an Indian. His explosive innings of 111 off 47 balls included 11 boundaries and 8 sixes before he was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman in the 13th over. By that time, India had already posted 196/2.
Suryakumar also contributed handsomely with a blistering 75 off 35 balls, including 8 boundaries and 5 sixes. His dismissal in the next over brought Riyan Parag to the crease, who added quickfire runs, scoring 34 off 13 balls. Hardik Pandya also joined the party with a swashbuckling 47 off 18 balls, propelling India to a mammoth total of 297/6.
In reply, Bangladesh’s chase faltered right from the start as speedster Mayank Yadav dismissed opener Parvez Hossain Emon on the very first ball. Despite a brief partnership between Tanzid Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh struggled to keep up with the asking rate. Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi provided timely breakthroughs, with Sundar dismissing Tanzid and Bishnoi removing Shanto.
Litton Das briefly gave Bangladesh hope, scoring 42 off 25 balls, but his dismissal to Bishnoi effectively ended Bangladesh’s slim chances. Towhid Hridoy fought valiantly, remaining unbeaten with a well-constructed 63 off 42 balls, but it wasn’t enough to challenge India’s towering total. Bangladesh finished their innings at 164/7, falling short by a significant margin as India secured their third-biggest win (by runs) in T20Is.
Samson was rightfully named Player of the Match for his sensational innings, while Hardik Pandya’s all-round performance across the series earned him the Player of the Series award.
