Jos Buttler was all praise for Sanju Samson after he took over the reins of Rajasthan Royals from Australian Steve Smith, who was purchased by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2021 Auction.
Captaining an Indian Premier League (IPL) side is never easy. There are players from different countries, different backgrounds, and possess different styles. Hence, it is an uphill task for any leader to keep his troops tightly-knit while getting the best out of them. Irrespective of how a team performs, it is a great learning experience.
Jos Buttler: Sanju Samson Was Really Growing Into The Captaincy Role And Was Looking To Put Together Consistent Team Performances
This is exactly what England’s Jos Buttler feels about Sanju Samson, who led Rajasthan Royals in the now-suspended IPL 2021. The Kerala batsman took over the reins from Australian Steve Smith, who was purchased by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2021 Auction.
Jos Buttler observed that Sanju Samson was growing into the role well in the tournament before it was deferred due to the Covid-19 crisis in the country. Sanju Samson topped the run-scorers chart for the franchise, as he smashed a century and amassed 277 runs in 7 matches.
“It was a great learning experience for him. And I think, as the tournament was going along, at the halfway stage, he was really growing into the role, looking to put together some better, more consistent performances towards the end of the season as a side,” Buttler said in a virtual interactive session arranged by the Royals.
Sanju Samson came into reckoning with his gritty knocks for Rajasthan Royals in his debut season for the franchise. The wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala was groomed by Rahul Dravid into a tough campaigner.
He followed his mentor into the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) squad in 2016 and played some crucial innings for the team during his two seasons with them before moving back to Rajasthan Royals. Sanju Samson scored 342 runs in IPL 2019 and then followed it up with 375 runs in the IPL 2020.
Jos Buttler Enjoyed Playing Under Sanju Samson’s Captaincy
Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, who hit the top gear against Sunrisers Hyderabad by smashing 124 off 64 balls, said he enjoyed playing under Sanju Samson.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing under Sanju’s captaincy. I don’t think it changed him at all as a person. He’s quite a free spirited, very relaxed kind of guy and he tried to get that across to the team and that’s how he wanted us to play as a side.”
“It is really important as a leader to be authentic, and I think Sanju is very much that,” Buttler added.
RR, under Sanju Samson’s captaincy debut, won three of their first seven matches and stood fifth in the points table. The inaugural champions would hope to pick up from the same point whenever the tournament resumes.
The 29-year old keeper labeled the 26-year old skipper who is also a keeper as a free-spirited guy, trying to get across the team and it’s how he wanted his side to play. Jos Buttler also said that Sanju Samson’s leadership skill was authentic which he believes a captain should have.