The continuous trade rumors that associate Sanju Samson with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and a swap of the legendary all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in return are becoming more credible every day. However, for the fans of Rajasthan Royals, the very thought of their skipper being transferred to a competitor’s team feels like an utter disloyalty.
Sanju Samson, a real die-hard Rajasthan Royals fan, has spent almost all his IPL career in that place where he has produced many great moments with his bat, whether they were from match-winning bludgeons with audacity or pretty masterclasses with elegance. To commemorate Sanju Samson’s IPL career with the Rajasthan Royals, let us revisit five of his most amazing innings for the team.
Sanju Samson Best IPL Innings for RR
5. Sanju Samson 85 (42) vs Punjab Kings, Sharjah, IPL 2020
In match number nine of the IPL 2020 season inside a bio-bubble in Sharjah, Sanju Samson hammered 85 runs off just 42 balls against Punjab Kings. Coming in at no. 3, the fiery right-handed batsman hit four fours and seven massive sixes to decimate the Punjab Kings’ 223-run total.
By that time the Rajasthan Royals had already the explosive half-centuries of captain Steve Smith and IPL cult hero Rahul Tewatia pumping up their total and this was the reason they so easily won Punjab with three balls and four wickets to spare.
4. Sanju Samson 86 (46) vs Delhi Capitals, Delhi, IPL 2024
At Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Rajasthan Royals had to overcome a gigantic hurdle of 222 runs to win and they looked entirely dependent on their captain Sanju Samson who played a lone hand in his team’s high-octane pursuit.
Having received his first ball in the opening over of the run-chase, Samson pounded 86 runs off 46 balls with eight fours and six sixes. No other batter from Rajasthan Royals managed to go past Riyan Parag’s paltry 27 that day as the “Men in Pink” managed only 201-/8 and lost the match by 20 runs.
3. Sanju Samson 92* (45) vs RCB, Bengaluru, IPL 2018
With a brilliant 92-run knock, still not dismissed, Sanju Samson made Rajasthan Royals’ very convincing 19-run win over the RCB in the 11th match of the IPL 2018 season. After coming in to bat during the powerplay, Samson have launched 10 of those for massive sixes at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru besides facing just 45 balls in the innings.
His innings contributed towards the setting of a gigantic score of 217-4 in 20 overs by the visiting Rajasthan franchise, whereupon bowlers successfully restricted RCB’s chase.
2. Sanju Samson 102* (55) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hyderabad, IPL 2019
Sanju Samson produced his second hundred – third in total – in the IPL 2019 season match number eight held at Hyderabad, and it was a first for the Rajasthan Royals franchise and moreover it was against the hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The cricketer scored 102 not out off just 55 deliveries with 10 fours and 4 sixes, and he and then-captain Ajinkya Rahane put together a colossal 119-run second wicket partnership. His knock together with Rahane’s 70 helped the Rajasthan Royals finish with a total of 198-4 in 20 overs.
Unfortunately, the Rajasthan Royals franchise lost the match by five wickets with one over to spare despite Sanju Samson’s remarkable performance.
1. Sanju Samson 119 (63) vs Punjab Kings, Wankhede, IPL 2021
Sanju Samson’s IPL 2021 journey as the captain of the Rajasthan Royals opened with a magnificent hundred. Along with it, he broke several records and marked the Punjab Kings suffering a strong defeat that would linger in their minds for a long time.
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was set for a big run chase of 222, and the Royals went to 25-2 when Samson, who came in at number three, took off like a rocket and scored 119 runs from just 63 balls hitting 12 fours and 7 sixes while facing the bowlers Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and the Australian international Jhye Richardson.
He was all set to make the Royals home with a great win, but the captain fell on the very last ball of the match, right at the edge of the victory line.
However, Sanju Samson became the Rajasthan Royals’ highest-ever individual score at that time, a record that has now been reduced to third-highest in the overall history of the franchise.
