Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor enthusiastically welcomed Sanju Samson back to Thiruvananthapuram following his outstanding performance in India's record-breaking T20I triumph against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Tharoor posted images from the felicitation ceremony conducted at his home on social media. During their meeting on Monday, Shashi Tharoor presented Samson with a blue 'ponnada' (shawl).

“Delighted to give a hero’s welcome to ‘ton-up Sanju’ as @IamSanjuSamson returned to Thiruvananthapuram after his stunning century against Bangladesh. I found a ‘ponnada’ in the appropriate India colors to honor him with!” Tharoor wrote in his post.

Tharoor was overjoyed to meet Samson after the India wicketkeeper-batsman hit his first T20I century in India's record total of 297 against Bangladesh. Tharoor has long been a vocal supporter of Samson, constantly confronting team management about the Kerala superstar's lack of opportunities.

Samson hit high gear in Hyderabad, scoring 111 off just 47 deliveries. Samson scored his hundred in just 40 balls, becoming India's second-fastest T20I centurion. Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav combined 173 runs for the second wicket in just 70 deliveries, propelling India to their highest-ever T20I score of 297/6 in 20 overs.

Samson is likely to feature in the a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for Kerala before India head to South Africa for a T20I series in November.