While clashing against Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2024, Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson made the bowlers helpless, virtually stated Irfan Pathan. Irfan also appreciated the captain of RR’s stroke play all over the ground.
On Tuesday, May 7, the Capitals set the Royals a goal of 222 runs in Delhi. Despite Samson’s 46-ball 86, the hosts prevailed by 20 runs and moved up to sixth on the points table.
Irfan Pathan, who was reviewing the game on Star Sports, lauded Samson for hitting runs all over the park and leaving the bowlers powerless.
“He plays big shots in front of the wickets, whether it is long-off, long-on or midwicket, but you will also see him scoring runs behind square. He doesn’t play the lap shot but scored runs in all four directions of the ground and with proper cricketing shots.”
“Khaleel Ahmed bowled a perfect yorker, he did everything he could as a bowler, but he (Samson) sliced it for a four. What can the bowlers do? He is in that kind of form. He makes the bowlers totally weaponless. He makes the bowlers lose their morale. He is batting like that and it is enjoyable to watch.”
Irfan Pathan
Samson hit eight fours and six sixes in his 86-run innings. He was the Royals’ lone warrior, as none of their other players reached even 30.
“He would have won the match if he hadn’t gotten out” – Irfan Pathan on Sanju Samson
Irfan Pathan believes Sanju Samson would have led the Rajasthan Royals to victory had he lasted till the finish.
“He would have won the match if he hadn’t gotten out. He was batting in a zone. Neither fast bowlers nor spinners were proving effective against him. He was easily hitting sixes off the back foot. He played along the ground as well where he hit fours with timing.”
Irfan Pathan
The former cricketer who now works as a commentator said that the wicketkeeper who also bats seemed to understand what the bowlers were thinking.
“He either has a back-and-across initial movement or he comes slightly forward. He was preempting the bowlers’ lengths and what they were going to bowl, and batting incredibly well.”
Irfan Pathan
Shai Hope caught Samson at long-on with Mukesh Kumar’s bowling. Although the photos were ambiguous, the third umpire decided in the fielder’s favor.