When Sanju was promoted as the captain of the Rajasthan Royals last season, he had frown eyebrows all over India. From the cushioned chair in the commentary box, there were game observers who wrote ‘Oh, Disease Gona Fail’. In the 2021 season, this horoscope is almost correct. Rajasthan have won just five of their last 14 matches. Seventh on the points table. But this year the game has changed. (sanju samson captain article)
Sanju Vishwanath Samson, a native of Vizhinjam, was the vice-captain of the Indian team in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. Vijay Sol was the captain. Sanju was the vice-captain of the team with many names known today as Sarfraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav and Aavesh Khan. Despite being knocked out in the quarter – finals, Sanju Samson was the team’s highest run scorer in the World Cup. The BCCI appointed Sanju at the age of 19 as the vice-captain of the national under – 19 team because he was convinced of his leadership qualities.
Put it down.
Sanju started his IPL career in 2012 with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Sanju did not play that year. In Rajasthan next year. Sanju got a chance against Punjab when wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik was ruled out due to injury. It was the beginning of a great journey. It’s not uncommon for a teenager to grow up to be the captain of one of the most valuable franchises in the world’s most valuable cricket league, trying to run away from the camera by speaking shy words.
Let’s get back to last season. Without most of the key players in the team, Joffre Archer, Ben Stokes and Jose Buttler, Rajasthan have played most of the season. Stokes returned from injury after the first game when Archer withdrew from the season due to injury. Butler missed the second quarter in the UAE. Andrew Tie and David Miller are back. Sanju’s first opponents as captain were Punjab, who played their first match as a star. Sanju scored a century in the match but the team lost. The dropout rate and Kovid put the team in 7th place. Earlier, game observers, who had written lengthy articles on ‘Why not lead Sanju Royals’, were again penned. The observation this time was that this team was not going anywhere.
But Sanju and Rajasthan had some other plans.
Rajasthan’s first strategy was to bring Ashwin and Chahal into the team. That way not only the two best spinners get into the team. There are also two great cricket brains. Undoubtedly, Ashwin is the best cricket brain in India. Chahal is a player who can take advantage of the situation. With the two joining the team, Rajasthan got a tactical advantage along with an 8 over guarantee in the middle order. Trent Bolt wreaking havoc on power play. Dangerous notoriety on skiddy pitches. Kuldeep Sen suggested Sanju after seeing his performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Shimron Hetmeyer, who has not yet been adequately used by the franchise. Devdutt Padikkal, who proved his mettle in the opening. Rajasthan intervened in the auction skillfully. Many were investments for six or seven years. Despite being weak in terms of death bowlers and number seven all-rounders, Rajasthan managed to form a flawless team.
Only a good team can fight. It also needs a good captain.
Sanju knew exactly where the gaps in the team were. So he used the team’s trump cards, Ashwin and Chahal, exactly. In the slog overs and power play, Sanju gave them the ball. This is exemplified by the fact that Ashwin was brought in for Russell against Kolkata and given to Chahal in the 17th over. Chahal took 4 wickets for a hat-trick in the Chahal over when Ashwin Russell hit the stumps. Those two overs helped Rajasthan win. So far, Chahal has bowled a crucial 6 overs in the death overs. Despite lagging behind in the number of wickets he has taken, Ashwin has been instrumental in Rajasthan’s leap. Ashwin’s job is to keep the run rate. He does it beautifully. Chahal is the number one wicket-taker in the tournament.
Realizing that Kuldeep Sen has a great death over bowler, Sanju uses him brilliantly. Prasidh Krishna, who bowled the 19th over against Delhi, also took a wicket maiden as Sanju’s captaincy was excellent. Sanju prepared a very precise field for the celebrity who used the angle.
Above all, Sanju has shown great skill as a captain in not giving up balance on the field and giving mature answers. Sanju was calm when there were problems with the Nobel controversy, including the departure of Delhi Capitals co-coach Praveen Amre to the ground. And then the mature answer to the question posed at the presentation ceremony. Not only was the pressure of the captaincy not on his personal performances, but Sanju has matured a bit in batting.
Many of the pen-pointed hands against Sanju are now at rest. If something goes wrong, they start moving again. The captain would write long articles that were bad. Still, Sanju wonders how to fight back in the next game.
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