Sanju Samson hit the first century in this season's Indian Premier League to help Delhi Daredevils demolish Rising Pune Supergiant by 97 runs in Pune on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Kerala right-hander smashed a brilliant 102 from 63 balls, while Chris Morris launched a stunning late assault as he blazed his way to 38 off a mere nine balls to help Delhi notch up a formidable 205 for four after being sent in.
Lifted by Morris's breathtaking innings, the visitors amassed 45 runs runs in the last two overs of the innings with a flurry of sixes and fours.
In reply, Pune's innings fell apart within the first 10 overs as they were reeling at 54 for five.
Eventually, the hosts, who were missing regular captain Steve Smith, were bowled out for a paltry 108 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune .
Samson's last domestic season was marred by disciplinary issues - he had left the team dressing room in the middle of a Ranji Trophy match and was given a warning by the Kerala Cricket Association.
Given the way he toyed with the bowlers, Samson made it amply clear that he has put those issues behind, and an attack that was lacking in both venom and vision would not take away anything from his knock that happened to be his maiden T20 hundred.
Samson got to the landmark with a straight six off Adam Zampa in the Daredevils innings' penultimate over.
In all, Samson struck eight boundaries and five sixes, while Morris found the fence four times and cleared it thrice during his cameo.
Pune lost Aditya Tare early, but Samson took the Pune attack by the scruff of its neck, and was soon dealing in boundaries.
Samson was severe on Deepak Chahar, playing the bowler through the point region for two back-to-back boundaries, which got Daredevils off the blocks after an economical first over.
In the next over, Samson launched into Ashok Dinda for three boundaries, his off-side play standing out as Delhi recovered after the early wicket.
Introduced into the attack after the first timeout, Imran Tahir provided Pune their second breakthrough when he cleaned up Sam Billings with a slider that went through the big gap between the bat and body.
Billings' dismissal paved the way for Rishabh Pant, who showed steely resolve in Daredevils' first match, having joined the team soon after performing the last rites of his father.
Pant, once again, got into the act quickly, sending Rajat Bhatia's medium pacers, first straight over the sight-screen followed by one over the long-on for two sixes in a single over.
Looking good to add some more runs to his name, Pant was run out for a 22-ball 31 when Mayank Agarwal's brilliant direct throw from the point region hit the stumps at the non- striker's end, leaving the batsman well short of the crease.
Meanwhile, Samson reached his half-century off 41 balls, hitting six boundaries.
He paced his innings well and switched gears by hitting Dinda for 19 runs in the 18th over, which included two sixes and a boundary.
The total proved way beyond Pune as they lost wickets at regular intervals for their second defeat in the tournament, while Delhi opened their account.
Delhi skipper Zaheer Khan picked up three for 20, while leg- spinner Amit Mishra had three for 11.
In the absence of Smith, Pune's batting disappointed big time as Ajinkya Rahane (10), Faf du Plessis (8), Ben Stokes (2) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11) all perished cheaply.
