Sanju Samson strikes fear into the heart of spinners, turning T20 games with his power-packed innings against spin. Here’s a look at his recent feat and other top performances by Indian batters who tamed the twirlers in T20 history
Sanju Samson lit up the Durban cricket pitch with a blistering century in the opening T20I against South Africa. India's innings swelled to 202, thanks mainly to Samson's incredible 107 from 50 balls. Facing spinners with audacious flair, he scored 58 runs off 27 balls against Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj, and Nqaba Peter, leaving the bowlers bewildered.
When someone says, 'You can't do it', then do it twice because they will say that first time was luck 😈🔥 #SanjuSamson #INDvSA#sanju_samson #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/LZQjq1HxCM
— Ravindra Kumar (@R_K_Fatyan) November 9, 2024
Samson's batting, aided by fast partnerships with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, kept the world champions on top. South Africa struggled to match the firepower, falling to 141 after Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi took three wickets each. India won by 61 runs, paving the way for a thrilling series opener.
But Samson's onslaught on spin was the highlight, and it made us wonder: how often have Indian batters attacked spinners in a T20I innings? Let's take a look at some unforgettable innings by Indian batters, with Samson's latest masterpiece at the top.
Runs against spin: 65 off 28 balls
Match summary: India 234 for 2 vs Zimbabwe 134 | India won by 100 runs
When Abhishek Sharma faced Zimbabwe's spinners in Harare, it was nothing short of spectacular. Abhishek opened for India, scoring 100 runs off just 47 balls. His performance against spin was both aggressive and artistic. With impeccable timing and powerful hitting, he accumulated 65 runs against spin, setting the foundation for India's massive total. His innings left Zimbabwe struggling to find answers, and they ultimately fell short by a significant margin.
Runs against spin: 64 off 23 balls
Match summary: India 297 for 6 vs Bangladesh 164 | India won by 133 runs
Another day, another Samson masterpiece. Samson was in a league of his own in Hyderabad against Bangladesh, smashing 111 off only 47 deliveries. With the highest T20I total in India's history on the line, Samson's daring performance against spin was terrific to witness. He scored 64 runs against Bangladesh's spinners, using a mix of elegance and brute power. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, crushed Bangladesh, proving too decisive to catch.
Runs against spin: 58 off 27 balls
Match summary: India 202 for 8 vs South Africa 141 | India won by 61 runs
Returning to Samson's most recent exploits, the Durban innings deserve every bit of credit. Faced with the skilled South African bowling squad, Samson focused his attack on their spinners, scoring 58 off 27 balls with stunning sweeps, cuts, and lofted drives. This win elevated Samson's innings to among India's finest against spin in T20I history, showcasing his brilliance and brave attitude.
Runs against spin: 57 off 24 balls
Match summary: India 192 for 5 vs Pakistan 181 | India won by 11 runs
Long before Samson, there was Yuvraj Singh, who scored a memorable knock against PAK in 2012. Yuvraj scored 72 from 36 balls in Ahmedabad, sending off fireworks in the stadium with his brilliant performance against spin. Yuvraj, a spin crusher in his own way, scored 57 runs against PAK spinners. The pressure was on as PAK chased a lofty target, but Yuvraj's six-hitting frenzy was already enough to propel India to victory.
 The Costliest Drop! How a Missed Catch Turned Rohit Sharma's 264 into Cricketing Folklore.webp)
