RR vs DC: Samson’s Inconsistency Haunts Rajasthan

In a display of cricket that swung the pendulum of emotions for fans, Rajasthan Royals’ captain Sanju Samson walked back to the pavilion after contributing a mere 15 runs from 14 balls against the Delhi Capitals during their Indian Premier League encounter. The clash, which heated up the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 28, 2024, witnessed Samson’s short-lived endeavor, as the anticipated batsman got out while attempting a cut shot against the pace of Khaleel Ahmed, only to find Rishabh Pant’s gloves on the receiving end.

Fans on social media expressed their disappointment over Samson’s transient venture, especially after his impressive unbeaten knock of 82 in a recent game against the Lucknow Super Giants. The criticism focused on the skipper’s seeming inability to string consistent performances, a facet of his game that has been both a bane for the team and a baffling aspect for supporters.

The game unfurled with Delhi Capitals electing to bowl after winning the toss. Rajasthan Royals faced several setbacks with Jos Buttler’s dismissal for LBW by the spin of Kuldeep Yadav. The batting debacle continued, and at a critical juncture, Rajasthan’s strategy board prompted a tactical maneuver, sending in the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin to join forces with Riyan Parag at the crease in hopes of steadying the ship.

Despite having potent hitters in their arsenal, such as Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, and Dhruv Jurel, the Royals lineup came under the tight clutches of Delhi’s bowling command. The spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav spun a web around the Rajasthan batsmen, evidently trying to contain the flow of runs, which reflected in the score of 89/3 after 13.1 overs at one point during the match.

Rajasthan Royals, the epitome of flair and ferocity on their best days, struggled to impose their might as their skipper’s inconsistency cast a shadow over the proceedings. The team from Jaipur would certainly hope for more consistency from their captain as the tournament progresses, both for their campaign bolstering and to quell the rising tide of skepticism from their fan base.