Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson gave credit to the bowlers after their four-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday. After winning the toss, RR was able to restrict RCB to a below-par score of 172-8.
RR’s veteran seamer Trent Boult got the ball to swing and kept Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli at bay. The New Zealander also got rid of the RCB captain with Rovman Powell taking a good catch diving forward.
Virat Kohli was dismissed by former RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal whereas Ravichandran Ashwin got the big wickets of well-settled Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell, for a golden duck.
The veteran off-spinner was the pick of the RR’s bowlers, returning with impressive figures of 2-19 in his quota of four overs and thus he was awarded Player of the Match.
Avesh Khan also bagged three wickets (3-44), dismissing in-form Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik with short-pitched deliveries.
Sanju Samson said at the post-match presentation, “What cricket and life has taught us is we will have some good and some really bad phases. But we need to have the character to bounce back. Really happy with the way we fielded, batted and bowled today. Credit to the bowlers, they are always looking at what the opposition batters would do and what fields to set. Credit goes to Sanga and bowling coach Shane Bond as well. They’ve spent a lot of time in hotel rooms discussing these things. Plus Ashwin and Boult are experienced lads.”
Samson also lauded the young duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag. Jaiswal top-scored in the run-chase as he scored 45 whereas Parag scored a crucial knock of 36 runs before Rovman Powell (16) and Shimron Hetmyer (26) added the finishing touches.
Samson added, “They are 22 each, so is Jurel. With very little experience, the way they are performing at this level is amazing.”
The RR captain revealed that he is not 100% fit but he is looking forward to the next game.
Samson concluded, “I’m not 100% actually. There is a bug in the dressing room, lots of coughs, and a lot of people are a bit unwell. Rovman finished that off well. I think we have a travel day and rest now, looking forward to the next game.”
Rajasthan Royals will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second qualifier at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday.
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