Sanju Samson lower a dejected determine as he tried to make sense of Rajasthan Royals’ 36-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad within the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 at Chepauk. The Royals had entered the sport stuffed with confidence, having overwhelmed SRH twice within the league stage. However, Pat Cummins’ wily spin duo of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma spun an online that the Royals batters could not escape.
“We were found short of options in the middle overs against their spin, that’s where we lost the game,” a crestfallen Samson admitted after the match. “The wicket started behaving differently in the second innings, the ball started turning a bit, and they used that advantage really well.”
Tactical Masterstroke
Cummins’ choice to unleash the spinners within the center overs proved to be a tactical masterstroke on a pitch providing flip and grip. Shahbaz (3/23) and Abhishek (2/24) shared 5 wickets to derail the Royals’ chase of 176.
“They bowled their spin in the middle overs against our right-handed batsmen, that’s where they were one-up against us,” Samson acknowledged SRH’s shrewd ploy.
While the Royals had anticipated dew to be an element, it by no means materialized, leaving their batters to deal with a sticky wicket.
“It’s very hard to guess when we are expecting some dew or not,” Samson mentioned. “Against their left-arm spin, when the ball was stopping, we could have tried a bit more reverse-sweep or maybe the use of the crease a bit more. They also bowled really well.”
Praising the Youngsters
Despite the frustration of lacking out on the ultimate, Samson was stuffed with reward for the Royals’ younger skills like Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel.
“Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and a lot of them are looking really exciting not only for RR but definitely for the Indian cricket team. We have had some great seasons from the last three years,” the skipper mentioned.
One participant who notably caught Samson’s eye was Sandeep Sharma, who went unsold within the public sale earlier than becoming a member of RR as a substitute.
“I am really happy for him. By not being picked in the auctions and coming back as a replacement, the way he bowled, he has definitely delivered,” Samson gushed. “If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he will be the next guy after (Jasprit) Bumrah. He has done a great job.”
Missed Opportunity
For the Royals, it was a missed alternative to achieve their second IPL ultimate in three years. Their batting unit, which had fired on all cylinders all through the event, went off the boil on the improper time.
Jos Buttler’s uncommon failure, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s struggles towards spin, and Samson’s incapacity to take the assault to the opposition have been all contributing elements in the loss. However, credit score should go to SRH’s bowlers for executing their plans to perfection.
As the Royals lick their wounds and regroup for subsequent season, they will take solace within the emergence of their younger stars and the combating spirit they displayed all through the marketing campaign. For Samson and his troops, it was a case of so shut, but up to now of their quest for IPL glory.
