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In Rajasthan Royals' (RR) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign opener, skipper Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 82 to help his side post a fighting total of 193/4 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Samson continued his streak as this was his fifth half-century on the trot in RR's first match of an IPL season. Samson went on to equal former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Suresh Raina’s IPL feat as well.
This was Samson’s seventh 80-plus score in IPL as a non-opener. Raina has the same number of 80-plus scores in his IPL career. He is only behind former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter AB de Villiers who has nine 80-plus scores in his IPL career that lasted 14 editions.
Samson has been lethal in RR's campaign opener in five editions on the trot. In IPL 2020, he scored 74 runs from just 32 balls against CSK. In IPL 2021, he scored 119 runs from just 63 balls against Punjab Kings (PBKS). In the next two seasons, he registered 27-ball 55 and 32-ball 55 against SRH.
Samson’s 82 helps RR register 20-run win
After Samson's 21st IPL fifty, RR opening bowlers Trent Boult and Nandre Burger reduced LSG to 11/3. But LSG skipper KL Rahul's half-century and Deepak Hooda's 13-ball 26 brought LSG back in the game. But skipper KL Rahul's half-century and Deepak Hooda's 13-ball 26 brought LSG back in the game. Nicholas Pooran's big-hitting display kept RR fans on their toes. But Sandeep Sharma's exceptional death overs bowling kept Pooran at bay. He remained unbeaten for 64 off 41 balls as LSG lost to RR by 20 runs.
Samson embraces new role
“Always great fun to spend time in the middle. Becomes more special when you win the game. This time I've been given different kind of role with slightly different combination we have. Sanga has given me some suggestions to follow. I've been playing IPL for 10 years - there has to be some experience coming in. I feel I need to spend more time and understand conditions. Playing international ODIs also helped me. It's all about understanding your strengths and weaknesses. I'm a batsman who just reacts to the ball - no matter the first ball or the last ball,” the 29-year-old said in the post-match presentation.
However, Samson felt that Sandeep should have got the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
I should give this trophy to him (Sandeep). If he didn't bowl those three overs, I wouldn't be POTM. I thought I should call him. I heard Ash bhai say it's not just about skill but character in pressure moments. He has that in his eyes, in his body language that you can trust that guy,” he added.
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