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Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson has been struggling against Sri Lanka’s potent leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. On April 26, Samson got dismissed by Hasaranga for the fifth time in the format (both international and franchise cricket). Samson has not just been outsmarted by Hasaranga often but he has struggled to score against him as well.
Samson has faced 23 deliveries from the RCB leggie, scored 18 runs including one four and two sixes. 10 of these runs (one four and a six) came at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) stadium, Pune.
Early attack
RCB skipper Faf du Plessis introduced the overseas spinner in the last over of powerplay overs. Samson tried to take the attacking approach and hit him for a four past point followed it up with a six over covers. Du Plessis took him off the attack straightaway but Hasaranga had the last laugh in the 10th over.
The dismissal
Samson attempted a reverse sweep and missed the ball outside off stump. He did not correct his shot and attempted another reverse sweep. This time, it spun in and got bowled.
Royals' struggle
The Royals skipper scored 27 runs from 21 deliveries including one four and three sixes. The team needed him to fire but he could not build on a good start. His wicket left Royals struggling for 68/4 in the 10th over.
Earlier Samson lost the toss. Royals opener got out for single-digit scores whereas the ploy to send Ravichandran Ashwin at no.3 backfired as they failed to capitalise in the powerplay overs. On-debut Daryl Mitchell failed to make his mark also. The New Zealand opener scored just 16 runs from 24 deliveries. He could not get a single boundary in his knock.
The absence of a senior player on the field hurt Royals chances of finishing with a flourish as well. Shimron Hetmyer did not fire either and got out for a single-digit score.
In the end, it was Riyan Parag's unbeaten 56-run knock off 31 deliveries that helped Royals post 144/8. Parag's quickfire half-century included three fours and four sixes.
