Kumar Sangakkara praised Sanju Samson for his dramatic handling of the end of Rajasthan Royals’ run-chase against Punjab Kings, even though it ended in defeat.
Samson played a stunning innings in his first appearance as captain for the Rajasthan franchise, making 119 in 63 balls.
The Royals’ wicketkeeper took his side to the point of victory while chasing 222 to win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
With five needed off the last two balls, though, he turned down a single that would have put Chris Morris, Rajasthan’s big-money signing, on strike for the last ball.
Instead of leaving Morris, who was new to the crease and had struggled to just two from four balls to that point, to try to hit a four, Samson took the responsibility of trying to hit Arshdeep Singh for six.
He fell just short, as he holed out to Deepak Hooda on the long off boundary, meaning Punjab were winners by four runs.
“I think Sanju backed himself to get the job done, and he nearly did,” said Sangakkara, Rajasthan’s director of cricket.
“He was five or six yards short of hitting that last ball for six, and sometimes when you know you are hitting the ball well and you are in form, and you believe you can do it, you have to take that responsibility.
“It was really encouraging to see Sanju do that. We can always talk about a missed single here or there, but the crucial thing for me is players’ belief, attitude and commitment to what they know their strengths are.
“Sanju took it upon himself to finish that game, and he just fell a few yards short. That happens, but next time I believe he will hit it that 10 yards further to win us the game.”
Punjab’s effort with the bat, with KL Rahul making 91 and Hooda a rapid 64, made for a worrying start to the new season for the Rajasthan bowlers.
The Royals have overhauled their attack after the limp displays of last season, and spent an IPL record amount on bringing in Morris.
However, he struggled on debut as he took 2-41 from his four overs, while another overseas paceman, the Bangladesh left-armer Mustafizur Rahman, went for 45 from his allocation.
There was optimism at least in the form of Chetan Sakaria. The uncapped and unheralded 23-year-old seamer took 3-31, and held a fine diving catch to dismiss Nicholas Pooran first ball.
“I think he was just brilliant,” Sangakkara said of the young left-armer.
“His skill was on display, but it was really good to watch a bowler in such a high scoring match always smiling, and always in the game.
“He took an amazing catch at short fine leg. He bowled with the new ball, and then he bowled at the death when everyone was taking punishment.
“It speaks a lot about his skill, his attitude, and it is great to have him in the side. He is a simple guy, who has had ups and downs in life, and he is here to enjoy his cricket.
“Chetan is a young man who will have a very, very good future.”
