India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson notched up his highest ODI score during the first ODI against South Africa.
Despite his career-best 86* off just 63 balls, Samson couldn't quite take India home as the Men In Blue fell short by 9 runs in Lucknow in a rain-curtailed encounter.
Also read: IND vs SA 1st ODI: India fail to chase down 250 as South Africa take series lead
But the talking point remained the way Sanju crafted his innings and took the game deep. With 30 runs needed in the final over, Samson kept the hosts in the game with 14 runs from the first 3 balls.
Talking about the last over against Tabraiz Shamsi, Samson gave an insight into his thought process and the plan against Proteas' Chinaman.
"It is always nice to spend some time in the middle and we always play to take our team over the line. I missed connecting two shots, next time I will work even harder. But I am satisfied with my contribution. Their bowlers were going about things nicely, Tabraiz Shamsi was a little expensive today so we felt we can target them," 27-year-old Samson said in the post-match press conference.
"We knew he would bowl the last over, I knew if I had to get 24 runs in the final over, I can hit four sixes. I was taking the game deep, the plan was this only and the batters responded nicely,"
The second ODI of the three-match series will be played at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on October 9.