I Really Enjoyed Playing Under Sanju Samson: Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals opening batsman Jos Buttler has praised captain Sanju Samson on his maiden stint as the leader of the franchise. Sanju Samson replaced Steve Smith as the captain of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2021 and did a decent job in a shortened tournament, cut short by the COVID-19 outbreak. Jos Buttler claimed that he enjoyed playing under the Kerala-born cricketer.

In his first year as captain, Sanju Samson led the Rajasthan Royals to three victories out of seven games. The right-handed batsman began his leadership stint by smashing a hundred in a steep run-chase against the Punjab Kings; however, it came in a losing cause as Rajasthan lost by four runs. Samson played a couple of match-winning knocks and showed promising signs of being a good skipper.

Jos Buttler claimed that it was an excellent learning experience for Sanju Samson as he kept growing into the role and looking to put together consistent batting performances towards the end of the season.

“It was a great learning experience for him. And I think, as the tournament was going along, at the halfway stage, he was really growing into the role, looking to put together some better, more consistent performances towards the end of the season as a side,” Samson said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

I don’t think it changed him at all as a person: Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler further said that he enjoyed playing under Sanju Samson as the responsibility hardly changed him as a person. The 29-year old labelled the 26-year old as a free-spirited guy, trying to get across the team and it’s how he wanted his side to play. Buttler also said that Samson’s leadership skill was authentic which he believes a captain should have.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing under Sanju’s captaincy. I don’t think it changed him at all as a person. He’s quite a free spirited, very relaxed kind of guy and he tried to get that across to the team and that’s how he wanted us to play as a side. It is really important as a leader to be authentic, and I think Sanju is very much that,” he added.

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