Daniel Vettori, the former RCB and New Zealand captain believes Sanju Samson knows only one way to bat and he should continue doing that. Rajasthan Royals will have their task cut out as a batting group when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2022 in Ahmedabad on Friday.
RCB have a unique bowling attack and the presence of pacer Harshal Patel means opposition teams need to attack from the start to ensure they don’t have the pressure of going bug against the death overs specialist, who is a master of bowling economical spells.
A lot will depend on how Rajasthan’s captain Sanju Samson bats in the top order as he is one man who has the ability to take the game from the opposition in a matter of a few overs.
Daniel Vettori: Sanju Samson May Produce A Match Winning Performance If He Bats For A Long Period Of Time
Sanju Samson was at his free-flowing best in the Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans too, but as has happened several times, he got out at a time when he looked set. But Sanju Samson’s 47 off 26 balls laid the foundation on which Jos Buttler created a big score, although it wasn’t enough in the end.
Rajasthan’s death bowling is an issue and they would need a big score upfront if they do bat first. Former RCB spinner Daniel Vettori believes Sanju Samson should continue playing in the same vein in Qualifier 2 against a confident Royal Challengers Bangalore.
“I think Samson only plays one way and it is exciting to watch. I hope he can bat deep but I don’t think he can change his style or tempo in this important game and who knows if he bats for a long period of time, he could produce a match-winning performance,” Daniel Vettori said.
Daniel Vettori was Tuesday named as an assistant to Australian cricket coach Andrew McDonald, who said the former New Zealand captain’s knowledge and experience would be invaluable.
Sanju Samson has scored 421 runs in 15 IPL 2022 games so far averaging a decent 30.07 at an impressive strike rate of 150.36 with 2 fifties. Sanju Samson played a fine inning for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in the first Qualifier of the IPL playoffs, at Eden Garden in Kolkata. He bludgeoned 47 off 26 balls at a strike rate of 180, his knock including five fours and three sixes. Sanju Samson’s innings set the Royals up with the start they needed.
Sanju Samson Shouldn’t Set Out To Play Long Innings: Sanjay Manjrekar
Even former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was of the same opinion as Daniel Vettori and said that Sanju Samson “shouldn’t set out” to play long innings.
Sanju Samson is leading his franchise Rajasthan Royals for the second season in a row, having made his IPL debut for the franchise back in 2013. In IPL 2021, Sanju Samson had scored 484 runs in 14 games at 40.33 and with a strike rate of 136.72 which included a century and two half-centuries. In IPL 2020, he had scored 375 runs in as many games at a strike rate of 158.89 with three half-centuries.
Sanju Samson has played 13 T20Is for India since 2015 but has managed just 174 runs at a below-par average of 14.50. He also played 1 ODI scoring 46 in the 2021 Sri Lanka tour. He wasn’t selected for the upcoming South Africa T20I home series with Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, and Dinesh Karthik getting preference.