Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson hailed the collective team effort their convincing nine-wicket victory against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Monday. RR bowlers did a fine job in restricting MI to 179 after Hardik Pandya decided to bat first.
Sandeep Sharma, returning to the playing XI after recovering from injury and Trent Boult rocked MI in the Powerplay overs. The visitors were reduced to 20-3 with their three big batters – Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav – back in the hut. Subsequently, Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera added 99 runs for the fifth wicket to get MI back in the contest.
Sandeep Sharma was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with impressive figures of 5-18, his best bowling figures in the IPL. Sharma accounted for Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, and Gerald Coetzee in his fine spell.
Sanju Samson said in the post-match presentation, “Credit has to go to all the players. Started well in the powerplay. In the middle, the left-handers played unbelievably. But the way we came back was where we won the game. Wicket looked a bit dry. But when lights come in, gets colder in the night, it gets better to bat in the second innings. People are professional enough about what to do when they get a break.”
Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his second IPL century as he scored an unbeaten knock of 104 runs off just 60 balls with the help of nine fours and seven sixes to help RR get over the line. Samson showered praise on Jaiswal for getting back into form.
Samson added, “I don’t think he needs (advice from) anyone (Jaiswal). He’s very confident. Was about one game. Let’s see how the wicket is there (Lucknow) and let’s see how it goes.”
Rajasthan Royals will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Saturday.
