An important knock for me, says Sanju Samson

The promotion as number three was unexpected but Sanju Samson grabbed his chance and played a brilliant knock of 91 in the fifth and final unofficial ODI against South Africa A.

Sanju Samson plays a shot during his knock of 91 against South Africa A.

Sanju Samson was a relieved man after his match-winning knock of 91 against South Africa A in the fifth unofficial one-day match at Sports Hub on Thursday.

His comeback into the India A squad after two years didn't go the way he had planned on Wednesday. He was disappointed after the cheap dismissal in the fourth one-dayer and was eager to perform. The promotion as number three was unexpected but Sanju grabbed his chance and played a superb knock.

Read: Samson, Dhawan shine as India A pockets series 4-1

"I have been working hard on my game in the last four months and it was one of those days when everything fell in place. I should thank the team management for promoting me to number three. I felt good when I started timing the ball well early in the innings. It was an important knock for me and I am a little disappointed that I couldn't score a hundred. I hope to continue this form and score many more runs in the coming season," he said.

Sanju said batting with Shikhar Dhawan eased his nerves and the presence of the former India Test opener in the dressing room was a big boost for junior players like him.

"He put me at ease when I walked to the crease. He encouraged me to go for my shots and told which bowlers I should attack. I really enjoyed batting with him. He is a very friendly person and I spend some nice time with him in the dressing room," Sanju said.