Rajasthan Royals‘ (RR) prolific run-scorer Sanju Samson is confident that struggling Ben Stokes, and Jaydev Unadkat will come good in the business end of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan roped the duo for a hefty sum at the auctions early this year.
While Stokes has registered only 148 runs from eight games, Unadkat has claimed a mere seven wickets. Moreover, the left-arm pacer bowled at an economy rate of over 10 and needed to come good. The England all-rounder, on the other hand, is yet to score a fifty in this league this season.
Samson defended his teammates saying they are trying very hard and can likely come good in the next game.
“This is the most important stage of IPL. It’s the right time for them (Stokes, Unadkat) to show what they are capable of. Hopefully, they will win it for us on Sunday,” said Samson.
(Source: IPL/BCCI)
There is an added pressure
Samson added there is a pressure of getting knocked out having lost a few games on a trot. However, he admits Rajasthan are desperate and motivated to turn things around.
“To be honest, there’s an added pressure. We know if we lose one more game it could get tough for us. But we are positive and desperate to turn things around. We have seen it before that Mumbai Indians, who at one stage were staring at elimination, went on to become champions. So anything can happen,” Samson added.
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler was sent to open the batting in the last match, and he justified it with a timely fifty. However, the Royals lost the rain-curtailed encounter by four runs.
Photo by Deepak Malik / IPL/ SPORTZPICS
Talking about if the franchise will continue with the same strategy, Samson said it depends on the team management.
He also added his form with the bat is of no use until and unless it helps the team to win.
“It doesn’t matter. The team has to win at the end of the day. Currently, that’s not the case but I hope to contribute in the remaining six games,” he concluded.
