Sanju Samson made a sensational hundred on his captaincy debut. The skipper almost took Royals home with a breathtaking 119 off 63 balls but was caught off the game’s final ball.
Rajasthan Royals needed 13 runs in the final over, Samson on the fourth ball with a six, but he failed to cross the ropes on the final ball of the last over.
Ben stokes was dismissal with a score of zero. Later, Arshdeep removed Manan Vohra (12). Subsequently fans watched Samson and Jos Buttler (25) worked and struck back-to-back boundaries. But Pacer Jhye Richardson pegged Rajasthan back by cleaning up Buttler. It was then Samson’s appearance only.
Samson effortlessly struck 7 sixes and 12 fours in the match, but he denied a single to Chris Morris on the next to last ball of the game when RR needed five runs off two balls in the end. To wind-up we saw Punjab Kings defeating Rajasthan Royals by four runs in a nail-biting game.
During a post- match presentation ceremonySamson said- “I don’t have words to tell, very close game, came close but unfortunately… I don’t think I could have done anything more. I timed it well but unfortunately couldn’t clear the man in the deep. It’s all part of the game.”
Arshdeep took Samson’s wicket in the final ball to clinch the first victory of IPL 2021. That was the point where it all ended but Sanju Samson did so well took the match in favor of the Royals alone until the very end. His century went in vain though, but he was exceptional throughout the game.
A Battle between two Captains
Sanju Samson and KL Rahul both played their excellent games and showed why they are the captain of their respective team, and why they represent them. KL Rahul 91 and Samson 119 respectively for their side was extremely vital to give the foundation to mount on. In the coming fixture, it will be interesting to watch both the captain leading their side.