Next time Samson will hit 10 yards further, says Sanga
Rajasthan Royals team director Kumar Sangakkara has backed Sanju Samson’s decision to retain strike for the last ball during a stiff run-chase against Punjab Kings, saying it was encouraging to see him take responsibility.
Skipper Samson hit 12 fours and seven sixes in a 63-ball innings but in the end failed to hit Arshdeep Singh’s final ball for a six as RR lost to Punjab Kings by four runs in the IPL on Monday night.
Needing five off last two balls,
Samson had refused to take a single, sending back Chris Morris on the penultimate ball.
“Sanju backed himself to get the job done, and he nearly did, he was five or six yards short of hitting that last ball for a six and sometimes when you are hitting the ball well and you are in form, you believe you can do it,” Sangakkara said in a virtual press conference.
“It was encouraging to see Sanju do that, you can always talk about a missed single here or there but the crucial thing for me is players’ belief and attitude, commitment into what they know their strengths are.
“Sanju took it upon himself to finish that game and he just fell a few yards short and that happens, but the next time I believe that he will hit that 10 yards further to win us the game.”
Sangakkara also lavished praise on the youngsters, especially pacer Chetan Sakariya and batsman Riyan Parag.
“Riyan is a special player, as you would have seen. He has got amazing hand speed, great composure and (Mohammed) Shami with his experience took a risk bowling a bumper at that time, and Riyan just didn’t get enough bat on it.
“That is the nature of the game, that is risk and reward, and I love watching Riyan play with that freedom and when you play with freedom sometimes wickets do fall.
“Riyan and Sanju were both having a wonderful partnership and got us into the game, with batters to come to try and finish it. I am really encouraged by the passion and commitment showed by all the younger players.” —