Sanju-Samson-on-debut

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The 3rd ODI between India and Sri Lanka was supposed to be a dead rubber considering the Men in Blue have already won the series. However, a lot was at stake for Shikhar Dhawan's side as the youngsters got a huge opportunity to impress everyone and make their mark. As India won the toss and opted to bat first on a good-looking wicket, the fans were ready to see some exciting talents unleash their potential.

After Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed early in the innings, debutant Sanju Samson walked out to bat for the first time in ODI cricket. He joined Prithvi Shaw in the middle as the onus of the Indian innings was on two youngsters looking to make the most out of their opportunity. However, despite the nerves and pressure to perform, it did not stop them from playing their natural attacking brand of cricket.

Sanju Samson impresses on debut

The Kerala wicketkeeper batsman has often been criticized for not doing justice to his incredible talent. However, Samson was in no mood to let go off the opportunity he got against Sri Lanka. The 26-year-old played some mesmerizing shots at R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday which left everyone in awe of him. Samson smashed 5 boundaries and 1 six during his 46-ball 46-run knock.

Although Samson once again threw away his wicket while trying to play a lofted shot off spinner Paveen Jayawickrama, there was no doubt that it was a delight to watch him during the time he spent at the crease. Despite missing out on a well-deserved fifty, Samson certainly put on a show for the fans in India.

Ishan Kishan acknowledges Samson's knock

However, the most delightful moment of the match came when Samson was walking towards the pavilion after his dismissal. Ishan Kishan, whom Samson had replaced in this match, acknowledged the brilliant knock of RR skipper and gave a pat on his back. The heartwarming moment just reflected the incredible comradery that the Indian youngsters share with each other.

A lot of credit needs to go to Rahul Dravid and other staff members for creating that atmosphere inside the Indian dressing room. While the players are continuously competing for the limited spots in the side, it signifies that the respect among the players for each other still remains intact, which is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects in a team sport like cricket.