IPL 2017: Sanju Samson And Rishabh Pant Open Up About Their Incredible Partnership Against Gujarat Lions

May 5, 2017 at 10:32 AM

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IPL 2017: Sanju Samson And Rishabh Pant Open Up About Their Incredible Partnership Against Gujarat Lions

For 19-year old Rishabh Pant, the mantra for batting is simple- see the ball, hit the ball and the Delhi Daredevils youngster proved his batting mantra right by smashing a 43-ball 97 to help the Daredevils pull off the second highest successful chase in the history of the Indian Premier League against Gujarat Lions on Thursday night (May 4).

The hard-hitting batsman made an absolute mockery of the Gujarat Lions bowling during his stunning knock as the Daredevils chased down a target of 209 runs with over two overs remaining. His whirlwind knock was studded with six fours and nine huge sixes. Pant was well supported by an equally explosive Sanju Samson who dealt only in sixes, hitting 7 sixes en-route to his 31-ball 61 runs knock.

Needing more than 10 runs per over right from the start of the innings, the Daredevils needed early momentum. However, the early departure of their stand-in captain Karun Nair pegged them back initially. But what unfolded thereafter was total carnage as Samson and Pant put the game beyond the Lions’ reach with a partnership of 143 runs off just 63 deliveries.

After the impressive win, both the batsmen reflected on the brilliant run-chase alongside their happy mentor Rahul Dravid. The legendary batsman began the interview on iplt20.com on a funny note, expressing his delight that the youngsters did not watch too much of his batting and were not influenced by his style of batting in their growing up days.

Dravid then asked the batsmen what was going through their mind when they began chasing the huge total.

In reply, Pant said:” I told Sanju bhai if you see the ball just hit it. The ball is there to be hit, just hit it. Don’t think about the next ball and if the next ball is also there to be hit then just hit it.”

‘Pretty good mindset’, that is what Dravid said before asking Samson:“Sanju, for you it’s been a really good tournament and you had some really good starts. Went in this game with a bit of confidence?”

“Obviously, I think I was in a good nick, I was watching the ball well and obviously the atmosphere really helped. The game is all about mindset so the mindset was very clear and positive,” replied Samson who has scored 374 runs so far with the help of a century and a couple of fifties.

Dravid later asked whether the two batsmen targeted any specific  bowler when they were batting together.

In reply Pant said that he was just thinking about dispatching the bad balls but Samson had a different mindset. The Kerela player said that he was thinking on taking singles after hitting the boundaries but it changed once Pant asked him to go all out.

“Bhaiya jyada socho mat, bas maro (don’t think too much, just hit), I think that really helped me to go on. Enjoyed batting with him,” Samson said.

Speaking on Pant’s knock, Dravid said:“What was impressive for me was Rishabh – batting on 97 and not thinking about his 100 at that stage and still going for his shots. (He was) not worrying about the 100 and (was) looking to get the team home. Incredible innings from the two boys and truly well deserved.”

The interview concluded with Dravid asking both his players to stay not out and complete the job themselves.

“I am a hard task master (and) I hope that you guys will next time finish the job and stay not out,” Dravid hoped.

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