IPL 2023: ‘It Is a Little Shocking To See Where We Stand On The Table’, Sanju Samson

IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals were regarded as one of the strongest teams in the ongoing IPL 2023 after winning three of their first four games. The Sanju Samson-led team is now fifth in the IPL points table. Only managed to win four games in the following ten games. They need several factors to work in their favor, including Mumbai Indians losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Wankhede Stadium. And Gujarat Titans defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by more than five runs to advance to the playoffs.

The skipper noted that he is surprised to see where RR sits on the points table. While discussing their performance thus far in the race. The defending champions from 2008 were thought to be among the favorites to prevail this time. But sadly, their path to the playoffs became convoluted. And their chances now hinge on how other teams fare in the league.

“We Have a Quality Team”: Sanju Samson

Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by four wickets in their final league match to maintain their postseason aspirations. Notably, if the club had won the game in 18.3 overs. They would have finished with a higher NRR than RCB and might have risen to fourth place on the points chart. But regrettably, that didn’t happen. Speaking about the same, Samson claimed that he had expected Shimron Hetmyer to perform well when batting in the middle, but that expectation had not been met.

Trent Boult’s ability to take a wicket in the first over of an innings was also mentioned by the 28-year-old after the game.

Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler was lost early in the chase of 188 by RR due to a duck, marking his fifth of the year. Devdutt Padikkal (51 in 30 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 in 36 balls. With eight fours) then put up a 73-run stand for the second wicket to aid RR’s comeback. Later, cameos from Shimron Hetmyer (46 in 28 balls, 4 boundaries, 3 sixes), Riyan Parag (20 in 12 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes), and Dhruv Jurel (10* in 4 balls) enabled RR to secure a last-over thriller victory by 4 wickets.

For PBKS, Kagiso Rabada (2/40) was the bowler of choice. Each Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Deepak Chahar, and Sam Curran took a wicket. ‘Player of the Match’ was Padikkal, and he received it for his fifty.