Rajasthan Royals (RR) off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised his captain Sanju Samson’s performance in the IPL 2024 season. Despite Samson’s self-assessment of playing selfishly, Ravichandran Ashwin believes it has ultimately benefited the team.
Ravichandran Ashwin, a name synonymous with spin wizardry in Indian cricket, has carved a remarkable career. At 38 (as of May 24, 2024), he continues to be a force to be reckoned with. In Test cricket, he’s a legend. Ravichandran Ashwin sits proudly as the second-highest wicket-taker for India, his tally exceeding 516 scalps. Even more impressive is his bowling average, which dips below a phenomenal 24 runs per wicket. He holds the record for the fastest Indian bowler to reach the coveted milestone of 450 Test wickets. Ashwin is a valuable asset in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Currently, he dons the Rajasthan Royals jersey, bringing his experience and mastery of spin bowling to the team.
Samson’s batting has been nothing short of spectacular. He currently boasts an average of a staggering 67.28, nearly 27 runs higher than his best average in any previous IPL season. This exceptional consistency has him sitting comfortably in the top 5 of the run-scorers list. His ability to score quickly is evident in his strike rate of over 156, making him a nightmare for opposition bowlers. This remarkable form has been a key factor in the Rajasthan Royals’ success. Samson’s contributions have propelled the team forward, helping them secure crucial victories. His performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him a well-deserved spot in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
What Ravichandran Ashwin Said
In a post-match interview with Star Sports following RR’s victory over RCB in the IPL 2024 Eliminator, Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on Sanju Samson’s performance, shedding light on the captain’s approach.
He said, “With Sanju, if you ask him, he’ll say he’s been playing very selfishly this year, but he’s striking at 165 (155.52). That’s exactly what we needed from Sanju Samson this year. I’m so happy for him, and I’m thrilled that he’s made it to the Indian World Cup side.”
The decision of India’s first-choice wicketkeeper between Samson and Rishabh Pant for the T20 World Cup will certainly add intrigue to the selection process.
Ravichandran Ashwin Speaks on Riyan Parag
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Riyan Parag for his standout performance during RR’s IPL 2024 campaign, particularly highlighting his pivotal innings of 36 in the Eliminator against RCB. However, the seasoned off-spinner emphasised the importance of young talents like Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal assuming greater responsibility and closing out games when they find themselves in promising positions.
He further stated, “My expectations out of Riyan Parag are high. And I would say he misses out on closing games down, and that is something that I always tell Riyan and Yashasvi because they are top-class players, and now we are seeing the silver lining, the stuff they are made of. That’s why I’m so excited about this group of players.”
In Qualifier 2 in Chennai on Friday, May 24, the Rajasthan Royals are set to clash with the SunRisers Hyderabad. With Jos Buttler absent, the performances of players like Samson, Jaiswal, and Parag will once again be pivotal for RR’s quest to reach the final.