The fourth T20I encounter between India and South Africa on Friday was marred by an unfortunate incident. While Indian wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson was back in business as he smashed a blistering 109 off just 56 balls, one of his mammoth sixes struck a female fan in the crowd.
The incident occurred during the 10th over of India's innings. Samson, in full flight, launched a powerful shot over deep mid-wicket, but the ball unfortunately hit the fan directly in her face. The woman was visibly distressed and was attended by medical staff. Sanju looked visibly apologetic upon realizing the fan had been injured. Jio Cinema expressed their concern for the fan's well-being and shared the clip-on X.
Social media was quick to appreciate Samson's gesture, while hoping the injury was not a serious one. Here are a few reactions:
Talking about the match, India dictated the show and crushed South Africa by 135 runs to clinch the four-match series 3-1. This was South Africa's biggest defeat in T20Is in terms of runs.
Samson's sensational knock, which included nine sixes, was complemented by Tilak Varma's equally impressive century (120 off 47 balls). India posted a mammoth total of 283/1, their highest ever T20I score on foreign soil.
Arshdeep Singh then produced and explosive spell, which reduced South Africa to 10/4. The pacer, who is expected to be a hot pick in the IPL 2025 mega auction, returned with clinical figures reading 3/20. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 148 in 18.2 overs.
The match saw a plethora of records being broken, including the unique feat of two Indian batters scoring centuries in the same T20I innings. This was also the first time two batters completed their individual tons in a T20I played between full member nations. Samson and Varma also set a new record for the highest partnership for India in T20Is, scoring 210 runs for the second wicket.
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