Duleep Trophy 2024: Sanju Samson Ends 1,740-Day Wait For First-Class Century, Fuels Test Dreams

Sanju Samson took almost four years and nine months to achieve his 11th first-class century-a notable landmark, considering it isn't when he made his debut. He had played his 1st first-class match in 2011 and has scored 10 centuries since then over the course of eight years. The journey to his 11th red-ball ton has been a long one. For the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Ranji Trophy seasons, he has scored four fifties in 11 innings but hasn't crossed three figures in any of them.

Sanju Samson's Magnificent Ton

Fans had expected him to break the jinx in the Duleep Trophy 2024 but did not get a chance in the first round. He got a chance in the India A vs India D game, where it was an abysmal show of 5 runs in the first innings and 40 runs in the second. In the third and final round of Duleep Trophy, he got one last chance to shine through.

Shreyas Iyer's India D was in pretty good nick against India B as well, except that they stuttered thereafter after getting off to a flier, thanks to half-centuries from Devdutt Padikkal, KS Bharat and Ricky Bhui. If they had managed to continue at that pace, they would have gone from 105/0 to 217/5. For all that disturbance, Samson had a relatively still time at the wicket. He batted with some belief and was going strong at 89*.

The next day, he completed his 11th first-class century within only 94 balls struck with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Samson showed intent again, as he did the last game, but this time everything fell into place for him in Anantapur.

It was a bit of a confrontation for Samson, who kept his composure together as four international experience bowlers threatened to end the game. He particularly targeted Saini and Sundar to churn out 55 runs off just 36 balls. Saini finally got him out for 106 but by then, Samson had made his presence felt as the team breached the 300 mark.