Sensational Samson century sinks South Africa

Sanju Samson became the first Indian - and fourth overall - to hit back-to-back hundreds in T20Is as India's seventh 200-plus total of the year earned them a 1-0 lead against South Africa in Durban. His 47-ball century - the fastest by an Indian against South Africa - was an exhibition of elite six-hitting as he carted 10 of India's 13. It paved the way for India's 202/8 in 20 overs, which South Africa fell short of by 61 runs.

Samson was early to gauge the bounce that the quicks got off the pitch and negated it by batting deep in his crease. Anything even fractionally short bowled at him was pulled for a six. When pacers - like Marco Jansen, attempted to course correct by going slightly fuller, he flicked them away with both ease and authority. Abhishek Sharma fell early, but Samson dragged India to 56/1 in the PowerPlay in the company of Suryakumar Yadav.

South Africa's 22-year-old leggie Nqabayomzi Peter dished out two hit-me half-trackers to a raging Samson, who sent both soaring into the deep mid-wicket stands. As was the case in the game against Bangladesh in Hyderabad - where he got