Hyderabad: Sanju Samson achieved a major personal milestone as Team India created history during the fourth T20 International against West Indies on Wednesday. India became only the second team to hit 2,000 sixes in men’s T20I cricket, while Samson entered the exclusive club of Indian batters with 100 or more sixes in the format.

Samson reached the team milestone with a lofted shot over long-off off Roston Chase in the third over of India’s innings at Hyderabad’s Uppal Stadium. The landmark six took India’s overall tally to 2,000 sixes in 297 T20I matches.

West Indies remain the first team to cross the 2,000-six mark, having struck 2,026 sixes in 259 matches. New Zealand, with 1,585 sixes, Pakistan with 1,507 and South Africa with 1,407 complete the top five teams in the category.

Samson Joins India’s 100-Sixes Club

The fourth T20I also saw Samson become the sixth Indian batter to hit at least 100 sixes in T20I cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter reached the milestone during an aggressive start to India’s chase of West Indies’ imposing total of 248 runs.

Samson scored 56 off just 23 deliveries, striking six fours and four sixes at an impressive strike rate of 243.47. His attacking innings gave India early momentum in the pursuit of a challenging target, although his dismissal left the hosts needing further contributions from the remaining batters.

Samson now has 102 sixes in T20I cricket. Rohit Sharma leads the Indian list with 205 sixes, followed by Suryakumar Yadav with 179. Abhishek Sharma had 141 sixes at the time of writing, while Hardik Pandya had 126 and Virat Kohli 124.

The milestone highlights Samson’s ability to score quickly in the shortest international format and adds another significant achievement to his T20I career.

Samson Enjoys a Productive Year

The year has been productive for Samson, who has scored 687 runs in 24 matches and innings at an average of 29.86 and a strike rate of 178.44. His tally includes seven half-centuries, with his highest score standing at 97 not out.

Samson also recorded three consecutive half-centuries during the T20 World Cup, beginning with a Super Eight match against West Indies and continuing through to the final against New Zealand. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award and contributed to India’s third T20 World Cup title.

Across his T20I career, Samson has accumulated 1,719 runs in 76 matches and 68 innings. He has an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 158.87, with three centuries and 10 half-centuries.

His latest half-century against West Indies added to those career numbers while helping India make a forceful start to their chase.

West Indies Post a Mammoth Total

Earlier in the match, India elected to field first, but West Indies capitalised on the opportunity and posted 247 for three in their 20 overs.

Captain Shai Hope led the charge with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, including four fours and nine sixes. His innings provided the foundation for a formidable total and continued his outstanding run of form on the tour.

Hope also shared a 52-run partnership with Jewel Andrew, who contributed 21 off 16 deliveries with two fours and a six.

Shimron Hetmyer added further momentum with 33 off just 12 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. Rovman Powell scored 24 from 17 deliveries, including three fours and a six, while Sherfane Rutherford remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls. Rutherford struck four fours and three sixes to ensure West Indies maintained their scoring rate through the closing overs.

The combined contributions helped the visitors finish on 247/3, leaving India with a steep target of 248 runs.

India’s Bowlers Face a Tough Challenge

India’s bowling attack struggled to contain the West Indies batters, who scored freely throughout the innings. Prince Yadav was the most effective Indian bowler, finishing with figures of one wicket for 36 runs.

Arshdeep Singh claimed one wicket but conceded 52 runs, while Mayank Yadav went wicketless and also gave away 52 runs.

The West Indies total placed considerable pressure on India’s batting line-up. Samson responded with an aggressive 56, but India were 80/2 at the end of the Powerplay, with captain Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma at the crease.

Despite Samson’s personal milestone and India’s historic achievement of 2,000 T20I sixes, the match remained a demanding contest as the hosts attempted to keep pace with the visitors’ powerful batting performance.

Key Milestones from the Fourth T20I

  • India: Became the second team to hit 2,000 sixes in T20I cricket.
  • Sanju Samson: Reached 100 T20I sixes and moved to 102.
  • Shai Hope: Scored an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls.
  • West Indies: Posted 247/3 after being asked to bat first.
  • Prince Yadav: Finished as India’s leading bowler with figures of 1/36.

Samson’s achievement and India’s team milestone added historical significance to the fourth T20I. However, West Indies’ powerful batting display ensured that India faced a formidable challenge in their pursuit of 248 runs.