Sanju Samson outguns RCB's batting might
The batsman hit 10 sixes and launched Rajasthan Royals to 217 for 4, a score that proved too much for Royal Challengers Bangalore
The batsman hit 10 sixes and launched Rajasthan Royals to 217 for 4, a score that proved too much for Royal Challengers Bangalore
Commentator: Shashank Kishore
Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane: "Feels good, we know how dangerous they are against RCB. We were looking to score 160-170, but the way Sanju and Jos batted was incredible. We've been trying without left-right combination upfront. All of them have experience, it was about one big partnership. K Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal bowled really well. When you score 200 plus, the opponents will come hard at you. They held their own really well. Sanju and I have played together, he's the future for India and we all back him.
"I'm grateful to play this tournament every two months of the year," says Man of the Match Sanju Samson. "I'm feeling good, hitting the ball well, but the tournament has just started. I want to win as many matches as I can on the field. I love doing what my team wants me to do, whether it's on the field or as a keeper.
7.32pm This is an emphatic victory for Rajasthan Royals, who now have two wins in three matches. This is the first time this season that a captain who has lost the toss has won the game. Ajinkya Rahane too wanted to bowl first, but as it turns out, he'll take the result gleefully. Sanju Samson's magnificent 92 the difference as RCB's bowling floundered.
As it turned out, with the ball, it was a local boy Shreyas Gopal who struck to remove Kohli and de Villiers to make the difference. Up until then, RCB were right in it, only to fall apart following those two blows.
Towards the end, Mandeep and Washington gave RCB a glimpse of what their batting order could look like going forward. Is it too early to make wholesome changes? What do they do with the opening combination? Do they strengthen their lower order by including Colin de Grandhomme? Who sits out? Plenty of questions as they have one win in three games. They have a tough next game, against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai.
The fab four all fell pulling short balls from spinners, and the bowlers didn't find the right line in the death
The stats lowdown on Sanju Samson's high-octane innings against RCB in Bengaluru
The 23-year-old showed there's still value to be had from batting with finesse. That's not to say he didn't bring out the power shots when he had to
The batsman hit 10 sixes and launched Rajasthan Royals to 217 for 4, a score that proved too much for Royal Challengers Bangalore
The batsman has begun the IPL in terrific form for Rajasthan Royals, after a strong domestic season, showing a consistency that has been previously missing in his game