Rajasthan Royals (RR) failed to qualify for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. They finished in fifth spot in the points table with 14 points to their name. RR had reached the final last year but failed to showcase the consistency of the previous season even after a strong start. The Royals had won four of their first six matches but could only add three more wins in their next eight fixtures.
Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, the top-order batting proved to be Achilles’ heal for the Jaipur-based franchise. Captain Sanju Samson and attacking opener Jos Buttler failed to turn out with a bat this season. Buttler recorded five ducks while Samson scored some runs but at an average of 30.16. As a result of that, Rajasthan had no choice left but to rely heavily on Jaiswal’s form.
S. Sreesanth, the former India bowler who played with Samson for their state-team Kerala, revealed that India’s batting great Sunil Gavaskar had advised the RR skipper to bide time at the crease during IPL 2023.
Sreesanth said that the legendary Indian batter Gavaskar advised Samson to take a few balls to settle instead of going ballistic from the first ball. But according to Sreesanth, Rajasthan’s captain said no to the former Indian skipper and that left him in shock.
“I support Sanju because he played under my captaincy in U-14. In the past 4-5 years, when I see him as a cricketer, I’ve always told him to perform in first-class cricket, not just IPL. Produce consistent performances. Ishan Kishan, and Rishabh Pant — both were and still are ahead of him. Pant is not there, but he will make a comeback. I met him recently, he firmly believes he can come back within 6-to-8 months.” Sreesanth told Star Sports.
“But in this IPL, the way Sanju got out in 2-3 matches straight, Gavaskar sir told him, ‘give yourself at least 10 balls. Read the wicket. We know you have a lot of talent, even if you have 0 runs in 12 balls, you can score 50 in 25’. When RR lost in one of their last matches in the league phase, Sanju said, ‘no, my style is to play like this only’. I couldn’t digest that.” added Kerela-born fast bowler.
RR’s captain, Samson’s performance also mirrored the side’s outings; after scoring 55 and 42 in the first two matches, Samson was dismissed on consecutive ducks in the next two. Samson ended the season with 362 runs to his name in 14 matches.
