Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Sanju Samson threw his wicket once again against Lucknow Super Giants at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
Samson once again got off to a start as he scored 32 runs from 24 balls but could not convert it into a big score.
Samson’s consistency has been an issue in his career as he has failed to get big scores at regular intervals. The RR captain has been in decent form in the ongoing season but hasn’t quite nailed his role as a batter.
There is no iota of doubt that Samson has all the potential to be a world-class batter and he is a treat to the eyes when he gets going. But the Kerala batter hasn’t been able to put together consistent performances despite having all the skills.
Samson has scored 359 runs in 13 matches for RR in the ongoing season at an average of 29.92 and a strike rate of 153.41.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Sanju Samson scored important runs, but he threw away his wicket once again after scoring 32 runs. He played a slightly one-too-many shot, got dismissed off Holder’s ball.”
On the other hand, RR talismanic batter Jos Buttler was dismissed early by Avesh Khan. Buttler had scored 500 runs in the first seven matches but he has veered off the track in the last six matches, which is a concern for RR.
“You (Rajasthan Royals) won the toss and opted to bat first, but Buttler gets out one more time. His performance has gone slightly down in the last five-six matches, he has scored around 140 runs in the last six matches; he had scored 500 runs in the seven matches prior to that. So it is going slightly cold for him although Orange Cap is still there on his head.”
Meanwhile, despite Buttler’s early wicket, Yashasvi Jaiswal played an attacking knock of 41 runs off just 29 balls as he took the attack against LSG bowlers in the PowerPlay overs.
“Jaiswal scored 41 runs, important runs. He was absolutely stellar in the powerplay although the kid did not get the strike after the powerplay; he was left standing at the other end and eventually lost his wicket off Ayush Badoni’s bowling.”
Furthermore, Devdutt Padikkal continued to impress as he scored a quickfire knock of 39 runs off just 18 balls at a strike rate of 216.67.
“Devdutt Padikkal was absolutely gun, love him to bits. He was absolutely stellar; I like this player a lot. Riyan Parag, Ashwin, Neesham and Boult – overall you score a 178-run total, which in my opinion, was a decent total but also a chaseable one.”
RR will next play against defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.
