Last editions runner ups, Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson was empathic after their victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their opening game. In Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, RR won their first game in a one-sided manner with a margin of 50 runs.
RR skipper, highly praised star leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal for his four wickets in the match and said he is enjoying his time since joining the franchise in the last edition, Chahal won the ‘Purple Cap’ in the last edition for Royals after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) released the leggie for IPL 2022.
Sanju Samson reckons RR leggie is a chilled guy-
“The day he joined out family here, wearing that pink, you could see that happy smile in him,”
“He’s a very happy kind of a character, who brings along all the people inside his room or restaurant. They sit along late nights till 1 am and 2 am. He’s a very chilled kind of guy, so his presence makes a huge impact,” said the RR skipper.
In the IPL 2022 mega auction, Yuzvendra Chahal was purchased by the Rajasthan-based side for INR 6.50 crore. While he went on to claim 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19.51 and an economy rate of 7.75, meanwhile RR reached the finals first time since winning the inaugural edition of the league in 2008.
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“Him, being him, wearing this pink jersey, I think he definitely has a great role to play. I felt that he was very happy today (Sunday), the way he bowled and getting those wickets is definitely going to help him,” he further added.
Coming to the match, SRH skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar won the toss and opted to bowl first, Sanju Samson-led RR batted first and posted a mammoth total of 203 runs for the loss of five wickets in Hyderabad. The top three batters of the Royals scored a half-century, with both openers, Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal, including Samson’s fifty.
While in chase Sunrisers only managed to post the figure of 131/8 in their 20 overs, Chahal was the pick of the bowlers with his figure of 4/17 in four overs, while star off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin picked one wicket, later Buttler was awarded player of the match for his 54 runs in 22 balls.
Now Rajasthan Royals will take on Punjab Kings in their second match of IPL 2023 in Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati on their first home game on April 5.