Many people’s hearts went out to Sanju Samson after his impressive knock 119 off just 63 balls didn’t help Rajasthan Royals win their first match of the 2021 Indian Premier League against Punjab Kings. However, Chennai Super Kings batsman Suresh Raina has lauded his performance, saying he has won many hearts as well.
K.L. Rahul-led Punjab Kings won the thrilling encounter on Monday by four runs after the Royals failed to chase the 222-run target despite Samson smashing the highest score ever by a captain on his first match in the IPL. His innings included 12 fours and 7 sixes.
“What an incredible innings @IamSanjuSamson! Well played, you have definitely won a lot of hearts today, Keep Going. Huge respect!” Raina tweeted soon after the match.
What an incredible innings @IamSanjuSamson ! Well played, you have definitely won a lot of hearts today, Keep Going🙌 Huge respect! 💯 pic.twitter.com/hBNBJv9Hru
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 12, 2021
Rajasthan Royals needed 5 off 2 balls but Samson denied to take a single off the penultimate ball off Arshedeep Singh. While this could have been a turning point in retrospect, many former and current cricketers praised his decision to keep the strike as he was more likely to hit a four or six in the last ball than Chris Morris who was at the non-striker’s end.
However, Samson sliced the last ball and was caught in the extra cover boundary as Rajasthan lost its opening match of the season.
Former and current cricketers poured in praises about the RR captain.
“Sanju Samson take a bow @IamSanjuSamson what a game.. @IPL @StarSportsTamil well done Arshdeep great spell and superb last over under pressure,” tweeted Kolkata Knight Riders’ Harbhajan Singh.
Sanju Samson take a bow @IamSanjuSamson what a game.. @IPL @StarSportsTamil well done Arshdeep great spell and superb last over under pressure 👌
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 12, 2021
“What a incredible 100 from @IamSanjuSamson (sic),” V.V.S. Laxman tweeted.
What a incredible 💯 from @IamSanjuSamson 👌👌 #IPL2021 #RRvPBKS
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 12, 2021
“When @IamSanjuSamson scores 25 it is a melody. This century is a symphony. An absolute treat to watch from one of the most gifted players around,” cricket expert and commentator Harsh Bhogle said.
When @IamSanjuSamson scores 25 it is a melody. This century is a symphony. An absolute treat to watch from one of the most gifted players around.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 12, 2021
Rajasthan Royals also threw their weight behind the captain who also set the record for the highest score by a player of the franchise. RR director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara said that the team believes in Samson who “backed himself to get the job done”.
“… Sometimes when you’re in form and you believe you can do it, you’ve got to take that responsibility and it was really encouraging to see Sanju do that. You can always talk about a missed single here or there but what matters to me his positive attitude. The next time, I believe he will hit it 10 yards further to win us the game,” Sangakkara said.
