IPL 2018: Krishnappa Gowtham’s Knock Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience: Sanju Samson

Rajasthan Royals could not have asked for a better opponent than defending champions to get their season back on track. The Royals’ campaign was in danger of being derailed early on after they lost 3 of the first 5 games. However, the defeated Mumbai Indians by 3 wickets in a thrilling encounter to get back to winning ways.

Chasing 168, the Royals lost Rahul Tripathi, promoted to open the batting for nine. Ajinkya Rahane also departed after scoring just 14. Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes the steadied the ship with a 72-run stand. The Royals were well on top before Mumbai clawed their way back with some late strikes. Jasprit Bumrah swung the pendulum towards Mumbai by dismissing Samson for 52 and bowled Jos Buttler (6) while Mustafizur Rahman accounted for Heinrich Klassen (0).

However, the Royals found an unlikely hero in K Gowtham. He spiced up the contest by hammering 18 runs in the 19th over bowled by Bumrah. He went on to seal the deal in the final over. The right-hander finished the match with an unbeaten knock of 33 off 11 balls.

Speaking after the game, Samson hailed Gowtham’s match-winning knock.

“Gowtham’s innings was brilliant. The knock was a (once in a) lifetime experience not just for him, but for all of us,” he said.

Samson went on to lavish praise on debutant Jofra Archer and Stokes. Archer’s debut was much awaited and he did not disappoint. He displayed his wide range of variations ranging from yorkers, bouncers and slower ones to keep the Mumbai batsmen always on their toes.

In the 19th over, he dismissed Krunal Pandya before getting rid of Hardik Pandya and Mitchell McClenaghan off successive balls with yorkers bowled at over 145 kmph. He finished the game with figures of 3 for 22 which included 12 dots.

“Everyone’s contributions were important. Jofra Archer took three important wickets. Our bowlers did really well to restrict Mumbai Indians to 167/7. Even Stokes’ innings was important. The partnership that we had was crucial,” Samson said.

Rajasthan will next lock horns against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29.

The game will give them a chance to avenge for the loss they suffered in their first encounter.

Samson concluded by speaking on the one department the team needs to improve.

“We need to pull up our socks while fielding. We need to show energy on the field and practice hard,” he said.