No ego in turning down a single, says Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson

Samson
Sanju Samson’s hard-fought century went in vain against Punjab Kings

It may be a thing of the past but it is simply refusing to die down. Sanju Samson’s refusal to take a single against Punjab Kings in the final over which resulted in the opening match defeat of the ongoing 2021 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) has garnered more attention especially after the result of the next cricket match.

Samson refused to take a single and give strike to Chris Morris as Rajasthan went on to lose a contest on the next delivery, with their captain being caught out at the rocks resulting in four-run defeat. Samson had worked hard in the contest, as his superb century took Rajasthan Royals to a certain victory that was not meant to be theirs. 

The debate whether Samson should have given the strike to Morris has intensified even further after the latter struck a crucial knock to deliver Rajasthan Royals their first win of the season, against Delhi Capitals. With the Royals needing 27 from the final 12 balls, Morris scored as many as 29, finishing with an overall 36 not out to deliver his side a memorable win. 

Defending himself in a column in Hindustan Times, Samson wrote,

“The game is evolving and very soon in the future you won’t be seeing singles being attempted at that stage. If a batsman fancies a particular bowler, he should farm the strike and go for it. It has absolutely nothing to do with ego; just the simple demands of the moment and the team. Winning is everything.”

On the other hand, Morris said he would have done everything within his powers to help Rajasthan Royals win the first match as well. He told Star Sports,

”Look, I was going to run back no matter what to sacrifice [my wicket] because Sanju was hitting it so sweetly. People underestimate how quick I actually am: I might have skinny legs, and thin calves, but cheetahs don’t have calves, so I’m quite quick. Sanju was playing like a dream the other night, so I wouldn’t have been too upset if he hit that last ball for six for the winning runs.”

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