Sanju Samson And Kumar Sangakkara Gave Me Full Freedom And Backed Me: Chetan Sakariya

Rajasthan Royals’ left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya impressed the cricketing fraternity in his IPL debut against the Punjab Kings in Mumbai. Chetan Sakariya fetched INR 1.2 crores in the IPL 2021 auction as Rajasthan Royals secured his services after a dogfight against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 23-year old credited captain Sanju Samson and team director Kumar Sangakkara for giving him freedom and boosting his confidence.

Chetan Sakariya, who shared the new ball with Mustafizur Rahman in his IPL debut, was the best bowler across Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings. He finished with bowling figures of 4-0-31-3, dismissing KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Chetan Sakariya. However, his efforts and Sanju Samson’s hundred were not enough for the Royals to get past Punjab’s total of 221.

Chetan Sakariya began by crediting Kumar Sangakkara, who told the left-arm seamer to bowl according to his understanding and vowed to help if it doesn’t come off. The 23-year old stated that keeper-batsman Sanju Samson did the same, giving him freedom and the field of his choice.

“Sanga sir told me bowl according to you understanding and back yourself. If it lands on the right area the whole credit will go to you and if didn’t work we will help you. The same thing Sanju bhai did, he gave me full freedom and said I will give you the field of your choice,” Sakariya said in a video posted by the Royals’ website.

The wicket of KL Rahul was special for me: Chetan Sakariya

The youngster had been preparing himself mentally after getting to know in the team meeting he would play in the opening game. Sakariya highlighted that there was pressure at the beginning before it settled and deemed KL Rahul’s scalp as a memorable one since it helped the Royals to save some runs.

“I got to know in the team meeting before the match that I will play in the next match. Since then I was trying to mentally prepare myself for the opportunity. When I was bowling the first ball, I felt the pressure but after that, I felt it is normal cricket. The wicket of KL Rahul was special for me as we saved a lot of runs by sending him back to the pavilion,” he added.

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