India, Sept. 10 -- Sanju Samson's first 28 innings in international T20s produced just two half-centuries and 11 single-digit efforts. For all his immense talent and the mountain of attractive runs in the Indian Premier League, the right-hander from Kerala seemed destined for an India T20I career less fulfilled.

Then, without warning, he smashed three centuries in five innings in as many weeks in October-November last. Among them were successive hundreds against Bangladesh in Hyderabad and South Africa in Durban, making him the first Indian to stack up back-to-back tons in T20Is. It seemed as if Samson had, finally, turned the corner.

Samson at his best cuts a glorious sight, full of sinewy grace, impeccable timing and effortless placem...