Shashi Tharoor welcomes centurion Sanju Samson with 'ponnada' in Thiruvananthapuram

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor presented Sanju Samson with a blue shawl after the superstar wicketkeeper returned to Thiruvananthapuram. Samson hit his maiden T20I hundred on Saturday in Hyderabad in India's record-breaking win over Bangladesh.

In Short

• Shashi Tharoor presented Sanju Samson with a blue shawl
• Sanju Samson hit his maiden T20I hundred on Saturday in Hyderabad
• Tharoor has been one of the biggest supporters of Samson

Congress Member of Parliament and cricket enthusiast, Shashi Tharoor, warmly welcomed Sanju Samson upon his return to Thiruvananthapuram after his remarkable performance in India’s record-breaking T20I victory against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday. Tharoor shared photos from the felicitation ceremony held at his residence on social media.

During their meeting on Monday, Shashi Tharoor presented Samson with a blue 'ponnada' (shawl). “Delighted to give a hero’s welcome to ‘ton-up Sanju’ as @IamSanjuSamson returned to Thiruvananthapuram after his stunning century against Bangladesh. I found a ‘ponnada’ in the appropriate India colors to honor him with!” Tharoor wrote in his post.

Tharoor appeared thrilled to meet Samson after the India wicketkeeper-batter scored his maiden T20I hundred in India’s record total of 297 against Bangladesh. Over the years, Tharoor has been a strong supporter of Samson, frequently questioning the team management about the lack of opportunities for the Kerala superstar.

Samson conceded that he was unsure of his place in the T20i side after he bagged two ducks in a T20I series against Sri Lanka in July. Samson found peak form in the nick of time. After failing to convert his starts into big substantial contributions in the first two T20Is of the series against Bangladesh in Gwalior and Delhi, Samson hit top gear in Hyderabad, smashing 111 from just 47 deliveries.

Samson brought up his hundred in just 40 balls, becoming the second-fastest T20I centurion for India. Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav added 173 runs for the second wicket in just 70 deliveries to power India to their highest-ever total in T20I cricket. India's 297 was also the second-highest total in the shortest format of the game after Nepal's 311 against Monogolia.

Samson revealed he was told by the Gautam Gambhir-led team management that he would open the batting in the T20I series, three weeks in advance. The Rajasthan Royals captain said the early heads-up helped him be better prepared for the series.

“Three weeks before the series, I was fortunate to get a message from the leadership group. I think Surya, Gautam bhai, and Abhishek Nayar told me that I would be opening,” Samson said.

“That gave me some kind of proper preparation. I went back to the Rajasthan Royals academy, where I faced lots of new-ball bowlers. That preparation definitely helps you. I was coming in 10 per cent more ready for this series than any other. I think that communication helps you be better prepared,” he added.

Samson is likely to feature in the a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for Kerala before India head to South Africa for a T20I series in November. Samson is not part of the Test squad, which will take on a visiting New Zealand side in a three-match