Rarely do we witness the Sawai Mansingh Stadium witnessing scores of 200 or more. However, Rajasthan Royals’ captain, Sanju Samson, made a bold decision to bat first after winning the toss, causing skepticism among many. Yet, Samson was well aware of his team’s plan. Thanks to the exceptional performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, the Royals amassed a total of 202 runs on the board while effectively restricting the Chennai Super Kings to a mere 170/6. Even MS Dhoni acknowledged that the target was too steep for his side to pursue.
Following the conclusion of the match, Samson admitted that opting to bat first was a calculated risk, and he was delighted that their high-risk strategy ultimately paid off.
“Securing this victory was crucial for the team’s morale and for our fans, especially as it marks our first win in Jaipur. We can’t adhere to a one-dimensional approach; while you may choose to chase in venues like Chinnaswamy or Wankhede, considering the prevailing conditions here, I took the chance to bat first. Even during our batting innings, the young players stepped up and delivered. Embracing an attacking mindset has brought about a refreshing change. Credit must be given to the management and the support staff for the players’ remarkable performances. You can see players like Jaiswal spending extensive time at the RR academy during the off-season, honing their skills,” expressed Samson in the post-match statement.
