‘Gowtham knock a lifetime experience’
GAMECHANGER Rajasthan Royals teammate Sanju Samson hails allrounder’s 11ball 33 that helped pip Mumbai Indians by three wickets in a thrilling match
: Sanju Samson’s second fifty was vital in Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) tense three-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Sawai Mansingh stadium on Sunday. But the Kerala batsman praised K Gowtham’s 11-ball 33 that helped Ajinkya Rahane’s side cross the line after losing their way in the death overs.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Samson was all praise for Gowtham’s blitz. “Gowtham’s innings was brilliant. The knock was a (once in a) lifetime experience not just for him, but for all of us,” he said.
Chasing 168, Samson’s 52 and his 72-run stand for the third wicket with Ben Stokes put Rajasthan Royals on course for a win. However, Hardik Pandya’s dismissal of Stokes for 40 and two wickets by Jasprit Bumrah, including Samson tilted the balance towards Rohit Sharma’s side before Gowtham’s blitz sealed the deal for Rajasthan Royals. However, Samson said the hosts were not ruffled.
“I knew that whenever a team chases, the bowling side are under pressure. While chasing an innings, it is necessary to take the match as deep as possible,” Samson said.
The right-hander, who is the leading scorer for Rajasthan Royals in this edition of the tournament, praised the contributions of Jofra Archer, who took 3/23 and also Stokes’ knock.
“Everyone’s contributions were important. Jofra Archer took three important wickets. Our bowlers did really well to restrict Mumbai Indians to 167/7. Even Stokes’ innings was important. The partnership was crucial,” Samson said.
Rajasthan Royals next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29 and they will be determined to take revenge after they lost their first encounter against Kane Williamson’s side by nine wick- ets. Samson highlighted one key factor which the team needed to improve. “We need to pull up our socks while fielding. We need to show energy on the field and practice hard,” Samson said.
‘MI 15 RUNS SHORT’
Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav had put MI in a strong position with aggressive fifties against RR but once both fell in quick succession, Rohit’s side lost momentum in the death overs which proved to be costly as the three-time IPL champions lost by three wickets.
Commenting on the loss, Kishan said, “I wouldn’t say it was bad batting. The starting partnership was important that we got. They bowled well. It was not easy to score runs for a new batsman who comes in. It was a little difficult for them. We were 15 runs short but this was a good total.”
At 130/1 in 14.2 overs, Suryakumar (72) and Kishan (58) had laid a solid foundation for a big score. However, Rajasthan Royals put in a splendid show in the death overs and restricted them to 32/5 in the last five overs. The key bowler in the death overs was 23-year-old West Indies allrounder Jofra Archer, who bowled with pace and used his variations to pick up 3/23 on his Rajasthan Royals debut.
Kishan was all praise for the 23-year-old West Indies player. “He bowled well. But still we could have scored more runs when he was bowling. He gave us little loose balls, full toss and everything. But I think this is the beauty of cricket.”
JAIPUR Whenever a team chases, the bowling side is under pressure. While chasing an innings, it is necessary to take the match as deep as possible. It was not easy to score runs for a new batsman who comes in. It was a little difficult for them. So I’ll say we were 15 runs short.
ISHAN KISHAN, on the loss