Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson combine to smash Marco Jansen for 19 runs in 2nd over of IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I [Watch]

Team India's opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson took Marco Jansen early on in trademark fashion during the fifth T20I against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. The duo dealt in boundaries to yield 19 runs off the over to get the Men in Blue to a brilliant start in the series finale.

Abhishek Sharma showcased his intent early on by stepping out to the left-arm pacer, and getting a hat-trick of boundaries in the process. The first two strokes travelled to the vacant third-man region as the fielder at deep point remained a spectator. Jansen managed to get the outside edge off the next delivery, but the extra pace and carry meant that the ball flew over short third man for yet another boundary.

Samson got back on strike to face the final delivery of the over, which he dispatched over long-on purely on timing. The right-handed opener, playing for the first time since the third T20I of the Australia tour, effortlessly got under the good length ball to elevate it over the ropes to record the first six of the contest. Have a look at the array of strokes right here:

Sanju Samson got the chance to bat at the top of the order for the first time since the fifth T20I against England earlier this year in January. He got a spot in the playing XI after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a foot injury sustained ahead of the abandoned fourth T20I in Lucknow.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma click together to deliver a solid start in IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I

The left-hand-right-hand pair are more than familiar with each other, having opened together for almost a year until the 2025 Asia Cup. They have delivered a powerplay exhibition so far, taking on the South African pacers to guide India to a stellar start.

At the time of writing, India are racing away after reaching the 50-run mark in the fifth over. The pair have already dispatched 10 boundaries in no time as the Men in Blue eye a mammoth total to seal the series.

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Edited by Gokul Nair