‘Selectors ko lekin kuch samajh nahi ata’- Fans react as Kumar Sangakkara lauds Sanju Samson for playing for the team and not personal records

After securing a 32-run win over Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals sealed the top position on the points table on Friday in the Indian Premier League 2023. Under the leadership of Sanju Samson, the Rajasthan franchise have, once again, impressed fans and cricket pundits with their overall performance. They played the finals last year and would be looking to clinch the title this time around. A lot of credit for Rajasthan’s success should be given to Sanju Samson, who has led the team admirably.

The captaincy pressure has only improved the batting numbers for Sanju Samson in IPL. This year too, he has played a few impactful knocks for the team. In the first match against SRH, he struck a half-century at a strike rate of 171. The game against Punjab also saw him playing another impactful knock of 42 off just 25, striking at 168.

Samson had poor outings against Delhi and CSK but then came back strongly with an outstanding knock of 60 off just 32 balls at a strike rate of 187. In the last two games against RCB and CSK, Samson managed to score 22 and 17, respectively. Overall, Samson has scored 198 runs in 8 matches at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 151. Samson hasn’t scored a truckload of runs but has never compromised with the intent. He ensured that he didn’t put pressure on the other batter and scored runs at a great pace.

After the victory against CSK, Rajasthan Royals’ coach, Kumar Sangakkara also acknowledged the same and lauded his captaincy skills as well.

Here’s what Sangakkara said about Samson after RR’s win over CSK:

“Sanju Samson always plays for the team. It’s not about the runs, but it’s about how he scores those runs. The intent is always there”, the Sri Lankan batter said.

Fans reacted to Sangakkara’s remark for Samson:

The importance of having a team-first mentality in cricket and the value of players like Sanju Samson, who prioritize the team's success over their personal goals.

— N I K H I L (@nikhilkalavale) April 28, 2023

Meanwhile some players pic.twitter.com/lTcIIQLLOX

— Sanket (@SanketS64861430) April 28, 2023

Maybe that's one of the reasons mi and csk approached him in last mega auction as mi wanted a keeper who can cap after rohit and csk wanted successor of Ms

— Supreme Strange(FAN ACCOUNT) (@Doc_Supreme_) April 28, 2023

https://twitter.com/____ashish_m/status/1651788252179988481

Unfortunately neither Virat or Rohit never understood that..

— Sandip (@ItsSengupta) April 28, 2023

Samson 24 avg 151 sr
Hooda 5 avg 80 sr
Kl rahul 37 avg 113 sr
Ishan 26 avg 129 sr
Jitesh 20 avg 149 sr
Shaw 7 avg 116 sr

Samson has better intent than all these guys

— Anurag ™ (@SamsonCentral) April 28, 2023

https://twitter.com/manabeshjoshi/status/1651775679808307200

https://twitter.com/Joshrockzz1/status/1651814281019809798

https://twitter.com/kunal0027/status/1651779528677801986

Team player, unlike some statpadders.

— Agile Panther (@AgilePanther11) April 28, 2023

He’s precious!

— Nijesh Jayakar (@JayakarNijesh) April 28, 2023