Sanju Samson’s maiden ODI century, and his first in international cricket, opened the way for India’s 296/8 in the Paarl decider on a tough wicket. It is India’s second-highest total on these shores versus hosts South Africa.

After losing their openers, India struggled to get going in the batting order. Rajat Patidar, who replaced the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad in the ODI, hit a quick 22 off 16 balls, including a six against Nandre Burger, but the spinner got the best of him later in the over by sliding one through the gap. Beuran Hendricks caught Sai Sudharsan in front as India stumbled to 49/2.

After captain KL Rahul and Samson scored 42 runs for the third wicket, India’s ship was steadied. Rahul fell to a pull shot from Wiaan Mulder, but Samson, who had already reached fifty, rebounded and scored 116 runs with Tilak Varma, the innings’ second-highest run-getter.

Varma smashed five fours and a six, but he did it at a strike rate of 67, putting pressure on Samson as well. Tilak scored 9 runs off his first 38 balls but was able to recover from his slow start, getting 43 runs off 39 balls on his way to his first ODI fifty. Samson, on the other hand, appeared to be batting on a different pitch where both seamers and spinners found something.

Varma retired after fifty runs, and Samson after a hundred, but the pair guaranteed that India had a battling total on the board. When they were 132/3 after 30 overs, it appeared like a long shot, but they were able to add 141 runs in the next 14 overs, due in part to Rinku Singh’s quick-fire 38 off 27.

With 10-2-37-1 statistics, Keshav Maharaj was the best bowler for the hosts. Hendricks finished with three wickets while Markram bowled five overs for 1-37.

Brief Scores: India 296/8 in 50 overs (Samson 108, Tilak 52; Henricks 3-63) vs South Africa