Rajasthan Royals captain and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson did not bat or keep wicket during his side's Super Over against Delhi Capitals. Here's why.
Samson won the toss and elected to field first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi Capitals put up 188-5 in their 20 overs, Abishek Porel top-scoring with 49 and putting together a 63-run stand with KL Rahul (38). At the back end of the innings, it was Axar Patel (34 off 14) and Tristan Stubbs' (34* off 18) cameos that helped them plunder 77 runs in the last five overs.
Match 32, Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals
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Samson then opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the run chase, and the pair put on 61 in 5.3 overs, getting their side off to a brisk start. As Vipraj Nigam delivered a no-ball, Samson pulled up once he missed an attempted cut shot, grimacing and holding his side.
Sanju Samson suffers apparent side injury during clash against DC
He was examined by the Rajasthan Royals physio who arrived on the scene swiftly, and attempted to carry on. But after swinging hard at the free hit and mistiming it on the bounce to long off, he once again held his side and was unable even to run a single.
Samson promptly retired hurt, for 31 off 19 balls, bringing Riyan Parag to the crease. He did not return to resume his innings, as RR went on to lose four wickets in pursuit of 189, eventually ending with the scores level.
When his side came out to bat, the RR skipper did not take the field. Instead, Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer opened, with Yashasvi Jaiswal coming in at No.3 as they cobbled together 12 runs.
Samson did not take the keeping gloves either. RR did use their Impact Sub only during the tiebreaker, as Shubham Dubey came in for Maheesh Theekshana. Dhruv Jurel kept in his place, as DC finished the chase in four balls to move back to the top of the table.
Samson: Was just not ready to come back and bat
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Samson was asked about his injury, and said; "It feels alright. I was just not ready to come back and bat here. We'll observe it tomorrow and see how it is."
Rajasthan's next game is on Saturday, April 19, against Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur.
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