Sanju Samson's knock of 55 runs from 32 balls played a crucial role in helping the Rajasthan Royals (RR) post a mammoth total of 203 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, eventually helping them secure an emphatic 72 run-victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, March 2.
Former England skipper Eoin Morgan was impressed with the Royals' skipper's performance, with his innings including three fours and four sixes. He was not happy about Samson's omission from the national team and lauded the wicketkeeper-batter's batting technique.
"It's hard to believe that he does not play more international cricket when he plays with ease and as well as this. The time he has and the power that he generates from shots of the backfoot like that are incredible," Morgan was quoted as saying in Jio Cinema.
Samson was one of three RR batters, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler, to score fifties for the IPL 2022 finalists. After Buttler's 85-run partnership with opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, off just 35 balls. Jaiswal then combined with Samson for a 54-run stand. After Devdutt Padikkal's (2) and Riyan Parag's (7) lowly contributions, Shimron Hetmyer and Ravichandran Ashwin closed out the innings.
Morgan praised the way Samson tackled the middle overs, especially the bowling on Adil Rashid. The RR captain smashed the England all-rounder for two sixes, one through deep mid-wicket and the other through long off. "There are not many people that play shots like that to Adil Rashid throughout the world.
"He is a difficult bowler to pick, let alone play and attack. What a way to start the tournament, Sanju Samson. Getting out of the blocks earlier, and scoring runs early in the tournament, we have seen this before, can he maintain that? Only time will tell," he added.
The Royals' next challenger is against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), led by Shikhar Dhawan, on Wednesday, April 5 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
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