IPL 2021: Kumar Sangakkara backs Sanju Samson after Rajasthan Royals batsman comes up short against Punjab Kings

Samson made 119 off 63 balls but turned down a single and elected to try and hit a six off last ball to win match

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson scored a century but got out off the last ball of the match against Punjab Kings in their IPL match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, April 12, 2021. Sportzpics for IPL

Sanju Samson scored a fine century but Rajasthan Royals lost to Punjab Kings by four runs in Mumbai. Sportzpics for IPL

Sanju Samson got out with Rajasthan needing five runs off the last ball against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. Sportzpics for IPL

Riyan Parag hit a quick 25 for Rajasthan Royals against Punjab Kings. Sportzpics for IPL

KL Rahul takes the catch of Ben Stokes of Rajasthan Royals. Sportzpics for IPL

Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul hit 91 off 50 balls against Rajasthan Royals on Monday. Sportzpics for IPL

Chris Gayle smashed 40 off 28 balls for Punjab Kings. Sportzpics for IPL

Deepak Hooda scored 64 from just 28 balls. Sportzpics for IPL

Chetan Sakariya of Rajasthan Royals picked up 3-31. Sportzpics for IPL

Kumar Sangakkara praised Sanju Samson for his dramatic handling of the end of Rajasthan Royals’ run-chase against Punjab Kings, even though it ended in defeat.

Samson played a stunning innings in his first appearance as captain for the Rajasthan franchise, making 119 in 63 balls.

The Royals’ wicketkeeper took his side to the point of victory while chasing 222 to win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

With five needed off the last two balls, though, he turned down a single that would have put Chris Morris, Rajasthan’s big-money signing, on strike for the last ball.

Instead of leaving Morris, who was new to the crease and had struggled to just two from four balls to that point, to try to hit a four, Samson took the responsibility of trying to hit Arshdeep Singh for six.

He fell just short, as he holed out to Deepak Hooda on the long off boundary, meaning Punjab were winners by four runs.

“I think Sanju backed himself to get the job done, and he nearly did,” said Sangakkara, Rajasthan’s director of cricket.

“He was five or six yards short of hitting that last ball for six, and sometimes when you know you are hitting the ball well and you are in form, and you believe you can do it, you have to take that responsibility.

“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 players’ belief, attitude and commitment to what they know their strengths are.

“Sanju took it upon himself to finish that game, and he just fell a few yards short. That happens, but next time I believe he will hit it that 10 yards further to win us the game.”

Punjab’s effort with the bat, with KL Rahul making 91 and Hooda a rapid 64, made for a worrying start to the new season for the Rajasthan bowlers.

The Royals have overhauled their attack after the limp displays of last season, and spent an IPL record amount on bringing in Morris.

However, he struggled on debut as he took 2-41 from his four overs, while another overseas paceman, the Bangladesh left-armer Mustafizur Rahman, went for 45 from his allocation.

There was optimism at least in the form of Chetan Sakaria. The uncapped and unheralded 23-year-old seamer took 3-31, and held a fine diving catch to dismiss Nicholas Pooran first ball.

“I think he was just brilliant,” Sangakkara said of the young left-armer.

“His skill was on display, but it was really good to watch a bowler in such a high scoring match always smiling, and always in the game.

“He took an amazing catch at short fine leg. He bowled with the new ball, and then he bowled at the death when everyone was taking punishment.

“It speaks a lot about his skill, his attitude, and it is great to have him in the side. He is a simple guy, who has had ups and downs in life, and he is here to enjoy his cricket.

“Chetan is a young man who will have a very, very good future.”