IPL 2021: Sanju Samson hails centurion knock against Punjab Kings as his best to date

Sanju Samson is a wicketkeeper-batsman who hails from Kerala and plays for the state in the domestic circuit. He has been associated with Rajasthan Royals since the Indian Premier League 2018, while he was appointed the skipper for IPL 2021 this season.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has been the talking point since Monday night after the wicketkeeper-batsman slammed a terrific century against Punjab Kings in Match 3 of 2021 Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, his effort went in vain, as his side lost the game by just four runs.

Samson scripted many records, while it was also his best Twenty20 knock to date, besides becoming the first IPL skipper to slam a century on debut. Following the game, Samson was left heartbroken by the loss but rated his innings as his best to date, especially the second part of it.

"The second part of the innings was the best I ever played. In the first part, I was not timing it very well. I took my time, respected the bowlers, took singles and got into a rhythm and then, I started to play my shots in the second half," he told Star Sports after the game.

"I enjoy my shots, but I come back to the present after I play those shots. It automatically happens when I focus on my skills and watch the ball and react. Sometimes, I lose my wicket also, so I just play the same way," he added.

Samson raised some eyebrows after denying a single to put all-rounder Chris Morris on strike off the second last ball, as the equation came down to five off one. Explaining his final shot, Samson asserted that he did everything well about it, except for failing to clear the man at deep long-off.

"I don't have words to tell, very close game, came close but unfortunately.. I don't think I could have done anything more. It's all part of the game. We thought the wicket was getting better and we could chase the target down," he concluded.