"Sanju Samson's only mantra is century or duck" - Aakash Chopra lauds opener's hundred in IND vs SA 2024 4th T20I

Aakash Chopra has lauded Sanju Samson for scoring another century in the fourth T20I between India and South Africa. He noted that the wicketkeeper-batter has been dealing only in centuries and ducks lately.

Samson smashed an unbeaten 109 off 56 deliveries as India set South Africa a 284-run target after opting to bat first in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15. The Men in Blue bundled the Proteas out for 148 to register a comprehensive 135-run win and seal the four-match series 3-1.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener praised Samson for his 'incredible' feat of scoring three centuries in his last five T20I innings.

"Sanju Samson's only mantra is century or duck. He has struck three T20I centuries in the last five matches. Isn't that absolutely incredible? He is batting at a different level. When he starts batting, he bats in such a way that you think 'wow'," he said (4:05).

Chopra noted that the high-altitude Wanderers Stadium potentially helped Samson's cause.

"It is said that the air is slightly thin at the Wanderers ground since it's at height, and that's why a lot of sixes are hit. 434 runs were chased on this ground only in the Australia-South Africa match," he observed.

Samson struck six fours and nine sixes during his 109-run knock. The opener previously smashed 111 runs in the final T20I against Bangladesh at home and scored 107 runs in the first T20I against South Africa before falling for ducks in the last two games.

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"They showed that this new Indian team's playing style is very unique" - Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma's partnership

Sanju Samson (right) and Abhishek Sharma added 73 runs for the opening wicket in just 5.5 overs. [P/C: BCCI/X]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma's opening partnership reflected India's new ultra-aggressive approach.

"When Sanju started thrashing, he wasn't alone. Abhishek Sharma was also there with him and both showed proper play in the powerplay. They showed that this new Indian team's playing style is very unique. It is destructive," he said (4:40).

The reputed commentator praised Abhishek for his big hits on the off-side.

"Sanju Samson waited a lot but once he decided to hit after the wait, he batted incredibly well. Abhishek Sharma is praiseworthy. He uses the long handle, grips the handle at the top, accesses the off-side areas over the top, and he too doesn't get scared. Both batted amazingly well," Chopra elaborated.

Abhishek smoked 36 runs off 18 deliveries with the help of two fours and four sixes. Tilak Varma (120* off 47) joined Samson in the middle after Abhishek's dismissal, with the duo stitching together an unbroken 210-run second-wicket partnership.