IPL 2021: “Sanju Samson backed himself to get the job done and he nearly did,” says Kumar Sangakkara

IPL 2021: “Sanju Samson backed himself to get the job done and he nearly did,” says Kumar Sangakkara

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson heroically played an innings of 119 in 63 balls, including 12 Fours and 7 Sixes, but it still wasn’t enough as the Rajasthan Royals fell short by 4 runs to Punjab Kings’ 221/6.The Royals needed five runs off two balls, when Sanju Samson decided to remain on the strike. Chris Morris, almost, reached the striker’s end after which he had to return to the non-striker’s end.

With five runs needed off the last ball, Samson tried to clear the boundary off left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh but wasn’t able to do so ,and Punjab Kings won the match by 4 runs.

Kumar Sangakkara, the director of cricket at Rajasthan Royals was in favour of Sanju Samson’s decision to turn down a single in the second last ball of the run-chase against Punjab Kings 222.

“You’ve got to take that responsibility” – Kumar Sangakkara.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson

Kumar Sangakkara spoke at a virtual press conference about the same and said, “I think Sanju backed himself to get the job done and he nearly did. He was five or six yards short of hitting the last ball for a six and sometimes when you know you’re hitting the ball well and you’re in form and you believe that you can do it, you’ve got to take that responsibility. And it was really encouraging to see Sanju do that.”

“We can always talk about a missed single here or there but the crucial thing for me is the players’ belief in attitude and commitment and they know what their strengths are. And Sanju took it upon himself to finish that game and he just fell a few yards short. That happens, but the next time I’ll believe he’ll hit it that 10 yards further to win us the game,” he added.

Former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull was left surprised after Samson turned down the single in the crucial situation while Indian Cricketing Legend Sunil Gavaskar supported Samson’s decision.

Also Read: IPL 2021: WATCH – Riyan Parag hits a stunning flicked six off Mohammed Shami’s bowling