'Flying Samson' - Twitter praises Sanju Samson for saving crucial boundary in final over

Team India went on to win the opening ODI against the home team West Indies on July 22 (Friday) after Mohammed Siraj successfully defended 15 runs in the last over of the match. However, the result could have been different if Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson had not made a full-stretch dive to save a certain boundary in the final over.

As mentioned above, West Indies required 15 runs, with Siraj bowling the last over. The right-arm pacer bowled a dot delivery first up and batters Romario Shepherd, and Akeal Hosein ran a leg-bye on the second ball. With 13 runs required off the last four deliveries, Romario managed to hit a boundary in the third ball of the last over. The duo got another two on the fourth ball of the over.

Sanju Samson made a full stretch dive to save a certain boundary

The second last delivery of the over was bowled way down the leg-side, and Samson showed sheer athleticism, diving to his left and half-stopping the ball. The batting duo on the crease did run a single on that delivery as the ball was called wide by the umpire. West Indies batters could only score three runs on the last two balls as that save by Samson helped India to win the match by three runs.

Talking about the match, India batted first and scored 308/7 in their allotted 50 overs. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan scored 97 runs, followed by fifties from Shubman Gill (64), and Shreyas Iyer (54). In reply, batters Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks and Brandon King made some hefty contributions with the bat.

All-rounders Hosein (32 runs), and Romario (39 runs) were also excellent with the bat but could not win the match for their team. For India, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal and Siraj scalped two wickets each and team India has now gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Meanwhile here are some Twitter reactions on Samson’s save:

Sanju Samson’s stop was the difference in the end. 100% boundary. And that would’ve been Game Windies.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 22, 2022

The save from Sanju Samson made a huge impact on the victory of the Indian team, it was a certain 4 extra runs for West Indies & they could have won the game. pic.twitter.com/wxcDLVqY29

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 22, 2022

Sanju Samson's save of the day with 8 needed off 2 probably won't be remembered tomorrow. #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/WOb6GO233g

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) July 22, 2022

Sanju Samson's keeping was outstanding in this match – In the last over he saved Crucial 4 runs and must credit goes to him and even Mohammad Siraj was appreciated and clapping for his wicketkeeping when he saved. pic.twitter.com/UCLgj2guOR

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 22, 2022

This man behind the stumps with Gloves on 🧤 is the Reason That the Majority of the Indians would be Sleeping peacefully tonight 🔥😍 And The other ( west )-Indians Must be feeling Lil sad
Nevertheless well Played both the Team ❤️❤️ #IndvsWI #SanjuSamson #Sanju #DDSports pic.twitter.com/n1hv4WK2Rm

— SUMEET KUMAR (@sumeetkumar2524) July 22, 2022

Love him
Or hate him
But you cannot Ignore him

Sanju Samson saved India from losing the match #WIvIND #IndvsWI #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/p0lLcGC3Fq

— Roshmi 💗 (@CricCrazyRoshmi) July 22, 2022

Sanju Samson's keeping was outstanding in this match – In the last over he saved Crucial 4 runs and must credit goes to him and even Mohammad Siraj was appreciated and clapping for his wicketkeeping when he saved. pic.twitter.com/720AGRcM35

— cricket 🇮🇳 (@Benstokesfan55) July 23, 2022

Flying Sanju samson saved India from marginal defeat.#WIvIND#SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/5cXJlBplwm

— Sanuj Lodhi (@sanuj_lodhi) July 22, 2022

We all know Sanju Samson is a great fielder but sometimes we fail to appreciate Sanju Samson the wicketkeeper, have to save today he won us with the gloves #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/GchlAv4VmT

— Anurag (@RightGaps) July 22, 2022