Durban, South Africa — In a notable performance, Sanju Samson achieved a remarkable feat by becoming only the fourth player in history to record back-to-back centuries in T20 internationals during India’s commanding 61-run victory over South Africa on Friday.

Samson showcased his batting prowess, scoring an impressive 107 runs off just 50 balls, which helped propel India to a total of 202-8.

The Indian bowlers also played a critical role, as wrist spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi combined for six wickets to bundle South Africa out for 141 within 17.5 overs.

With this win, India retained its unbeaten streak against South Africa at Kingsmead since 2007.

The next game in this four-match series will take place on Sunday in Gqeberha.

Samson’s first T20 century came less than a month prior, when he scored 111 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. In this latest match, he smacked an impressive ten sixes along with seven fours.

The last players to have achieved consecutive T20 centuries were Gustav Mckeon from France in 2022, South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw in the same year, and England’s Phil Salt in 2023.

Despite losing his opening partner Abhishek Sharma for just 7 runs, Samson cruised to 50 runs off 27 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes along the way.

India finished the powerplay at 56-1, with Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav (21) adding 66 runs in 37 balls.

Samson continued his assault, adding another 77 runs alongside Tilak Varma, who contributed 33 runs off 18 balls.

Samson reached his century in spectacular fashion, hitting five additional sixes to bring his hundred up in only 47 balls.

He joined an elite club of Indian players with two or more T20 centuries, a group that includes Rohit Sharma (5), Suryakumar Yadav (4), and Lokesh Rahul (2).

The ten sixes he hit matched the highest record for an Indian T20 player, equalling Sharma’s achievement against Sri Lanka in 2017.

Sadly for India, Samson was ultimately dismissed in the 16th over, which led to a dip in momentum as Hardik Pandya fell cheaply. Rinku Singh managed a late addition of 11 runs, helping the team pass the 200-run mark.

During their chase of the set target, South Africa struggled early on, with captain Aiden Markram dismissed for just 8 runs after being caught behind off Arshdeep Singh.

Avesh Khan added to the Proteas’ troubles by sending Tristan Stubbs back for 11 runs, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 30-2 after just 3.3 overs.

Ryan Rickelton’s brief innings of 21 off 11 balls ended in the final powerplay over when he was caught off Chakravarthy’s delivery.

Chakravarthy played a crucial role in thwarting South Africa’s recovery, ending a 42-run partnership between Heinrich Klaasen (25) and David Miller (18). Klaasen’s wicket in the 12th over led to a sudden collapse.

Four wickets fell in just nine deliveries as South Africa’s total dwindled from 86-3 to 93-7.

Gerald Coetzee provided some late fireworks, scoring three sixes in a rapid 23 runs off 11 balls.

Chakravarthy’s final figures stood at 3-25 off four overs, while Bishnoi concluded with 3-28, sealing a comprehensive win for India.