IPL 2023: He always plays for the side – RR coach Kumar Sangakkara heaps praise on skipper Sanju Samson

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has showered praise on captain Sanju Samson after their 32-run win against Chennai Super Kings at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Thursday. Samson could only score run-a-ball 17 for RR and he perished while attempting to play a big shot.

Samson always looks to hit the ground running for RR and Sangakkara said that the skipper always plays for the side. The right-hander has scored 198 runs in eight matches of the ongoing season at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 151.14.

Samson has been leading from the front in the ongoing season and RR are currently at the top of the points table with five wins in eight matches.

Addressing the team in the dressing room, Kumar Sangakkara said, “Skipper, thank you for going in, I think when you watch Sanju bat, one of the things and Jos has made this observation before, is that he always plays for the side. It’s not about the runs but it’s about how he scores those runs. He showed the intent, he led by example. So I thought irrespective of the runs, the tone you set and the example you set is great for the rest of the side to follow.”

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming added that they don’t mess with things that are working well for them.

Fleming said in the post-match press conference, “The set roles are very important. [Ajinkya] Rahane has been great for us at No. 3. We don’t mess with things that are going well. It was just today we came up against a team that took the pace off the ball. We couldn’t get any real momentum in the first six overs.

“Devon Conway, who is in outstanding form, couldn’t get underway. The rhythm of the innings was slow. When we tried to catch the game up, we made mistakes.”

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson will look to continue the good show for RR. Rajasthan Royals will next take on Mumbai Indians in the 42nd match of the ongoing IPL 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.