Sanju Samson’s ebullient maiden T20 International hundred dotted India’s resounding 133-run victory and 3-0 series sweep over a listless Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday. Once India broomed away records like rotten twigs while posting 297 for 6 after electing to bat, it was always a case of eventual margin of win and Bangladesh never really offered a meaningful fight, ending up at 164/7 in the third and final T20I. Pacer Mayank Yadav (2/32) and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (3/30) led the hosts’ bowling effort.

Samson (111, 47 balls, 11×4, 8×6), who hammered the second fastest T20I century by an Indian after Rohit Sharma (35 balls), and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (75, 35 balls, 8×4, 5×6), biffed 173 runs during an electrifying second wicket stand, propelling the hosts past several records.

The total was second in the all-time list of the highest T20I team totals behind Nepal’s 314 and ahead of Afghanistan’s 278/3, and also India’s highest in the shortest format.

They were purely amazing stats even taking into account a barren pitch and lighting quick outfield.

But beyond that cold realm of numbers, Samson’s innings was touched by his esoteric genius, the ingredient that makes him compelling and frustrating in equal measure.

But the Kerala right-hander chose to display his captivating side on the field on a clement Hyderabad night and Bangladesh withered quickly.

Samson needed a big effort after lukewarm outings in the first two matches in Gwalior and New Delhi and, oh boy, did he make it count here! Samson’s brand-new purpose found an immediate on-field expression as he pummelled pacer Taskin Ahmed for four consecutive fours — two cover drives and as many flicks — in the second over of the innings.

It was the perfect teaser for the blockbuster action that unfolded in the next 10.3 overs.

The rapid start also helped India move past the early dismissal of opener Abhishek Sharma (4), falling to a poorly-timed pull off slinger quick Tanzim Hasan.

Suryakumar was a mere spectator once Samson slipped into top gear with an array of mind-spinning shots. That could be the biggest tribute for the 29-year-old’s knock.

It is quite tough to put Suryakumar to shade in T20Is but Samson did that with a knock of rare brilliance as India raced to 82 for 1 in Power Play and 152 for 1 after 10 overs.

No bowler was spared during the batting extravaganza that was based on the single-minded and simple philosophy of naked aggression.

It was so glaring in the 10th over when leg-spinner Rishad Hossain came to bowl. Hossain erred in line and length and Samson creamed him for five consecutive sixes, including a 105-meter monster.

But the most stunning shot in Samson’s innings was a six off the backfoot off pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

Waiting deep inside the crease, Samson judged the slower ball to perfection, and whacked it over extra cover for a maximum, eliciting a dejected shrug and shake of head from the experienced bowler.

Soon, he brought up his hundred off 40 balls with a boundary off off-spinner Mahedi Hasan and celebrated with a roar and punch before getting melted into a tight embrace by his captain.

Suryakumar reminded the gallery of his presence, smashing Tanzim for three fours and a six while reaching his fifty in 23 balls.

But both the batters fell in the space of adding 10 runs. Samson was jettisoned by Mustafizur’s well-directed bouncer and Suryakumar became Mahmudullah’s last T20I victim, giving a simple catch to Rishad in deep.

But by then India had reached 206 for three in the 15th over.

That itself was a daunting total but Hardik Pandya (47, 18 balls, 4×4, 4×6) and Riyan Parag (34, 13 balls, 1×4, 4×6) flogged the dead horse to milk a further 70 runs for the fourth wicket as India raced to a massive total.

Once Mayank ousted Pervez Hossain in the first ball of Bangladesh innings, they struggled for momentum in the always futile chase of 298.

The tourists did not have the resources even to attempt a powerful chase as knocks by Towhid Hridoy (63 not out, 42 balls, 5×4, 3×6 ) and Litton Das (42, 25 balls, 8×4) remained distant specks in the match’s scoresheet.

India vs Bangladesh Live: Squads –

India Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Nitish Reddy, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma

Bangladesh Squad: Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das(w), Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Rakibul Hasan

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged the prospect of handing chances to youngsters Harshit Rana, Tilak Varma and others to prove their mettle in the final game of the T20I series against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. The first two T20Is saw two new faces; Delhi-tearaway Mayank Yadav and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy dazzling around in national colours. While Mayank had his charm with the new ball, Nitish was charismatic with his elegant timing of the shot and consistency with the ball.

With the series done and dusted, India will step into the stadium for the third T20I to complete a series sweep over the Tigers.

With the squad consisting of young brimming talents, Ryan ten Doeschate dropped a subtle hint about India trying new faces in the final T20I.

“Yeah, that was always the plan. Obviously, there’s nice depth in the squad, and a lot of guys have got IPL experience. We try to expose as many guys as we can to international experience with what we’ve got coming up. So someone like Harshit Rana we’re keen to give a game to. Obviously, Tilak came into the squad a bit later,” he said in the pre-match press conference on the eve of the final T20I against Bangladesh.

“Jitesh is there as well, but we want to give Sanju another chance. So there are options, and certainly the plan originally was to win the series, get the series won and then try a few new faces for the last game,” Ryan added.

Since the era of Gautam Gambhir dawned on Indian cricket, experimentation with familiar and new faces has become a constant theme, especially in the shortest format of cricket.

However, Ryan emphasised that opportunities are not given but earned by the new played under the new regime that has been soaring to new heights.

“I mean, the first thing I’ll say is we don’t give opportunities. The guys earn opportunities. Someone like Nitish, an emerging player of the IPL last year, ‘s impressed us with the work he’s done, and that goes for everyone who comes into these squads. They’re very carefully selected,” he added.

After the conclusion of the Bangladesh series, India will have more pressing matters to attend to. India will immediately shift its focus from white-ball cricket to Test format as they prepare to host New Zealand for three Tests, beginning on October 16.

The Rohit Sharma-led side will travel to Australia next month for the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy, which will last till early January.

India will then have almost a month to fine-tune its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin in Pakistan. Following the marquee event, a possible spot in the final of the ICC World Test Championship could be awaiting the Rohit Sharma-led side at the Lord’s.

The WTC final will be followed by a gruelling challenge in which India will play five Tests in England.

With a jam-packed schedule, Ryan asserted that the focus of the Indian team is to build a pool of players who are prepared for the challenge that lies ahead of them.

“100 per cent. I think it’s shown in the way we’ve played. The Test match in Kanpur was a great example. We’re trying to push the limits of what we can do as a team. We’ve obviously got the quality to do it. And then it’s about giving the players the belief to do it in a safe space, to know that if it’s not going to go right, it’s also okay,” he said.

“The message has been pretty consistent with that. We want guys to expand their own games. We want to move cricket forward like it is going with the times. And we want to be prepared for the big crunch months that are coming up in the next 18 months,” Ryan remarked.