IPL 2023: On Sunday, April 16 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, in Match 23 of Indian Premier League Season 16, Rajasthan Royals defeated Gujarat Titans by 3 wickets. Thanks to half-centuries from skipper Sanju Samson (60 off 32) and Shimron Hetmyer (56* off 26), RR were able to reach the goal of 178 with four balls to spare.
When Samson came in to bat, his team was in a tough position, trailing 4/2 after 2.5 overs and looking down the barrel. The 28-year-old, though, contributed to his team’s 100-run milestone and set the stage for Hetmyer to seal the deal. Cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle urged Samson’s inclusion in the Indian Twenty20 International squad after seeing his remarkable innings.
Harsha Bhogle wants Sanju Samson in the Indian T20 XI
Bhogle took to Twitter and wrote, “I would play Sanju Samson in the Indian T20 team every day.”
I would play Sanju Samson in the Indian T20 team every day.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 16, 2023
Samson made his T20I debut in 2015, therefore he has only played 17 T20Is so far. In his 17 T20Is, he has scored 301 runs at an average of 20.06, including one fifty. The cricketer, who was born in Kerala, has appeared in 11 ODIs, amassing 330 runs at an average of 66 and achieving two centuries.
Samson’s followers have run hashtags in his favour on social media in order to get his attention from the selectors, but despite his great performances, he is frequently overlooked. After being sidelined for more than a year owing to injury, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is once again vying for a spot on the national squad in time for the ODI World Cup later this year and the next T20 World Cup.
To go back to the game at hand, after being given the option to bat first, the Gujarat Titans scored 177/7, with David Miller hitting 46 (out of 30) and Shubman Gill adding 45 (out of 34). For RR, Sandeep Sharma was the most effective bowler, finishing with figures of 2/25 from his allotted four overs.
After 10.3 overs, RR’s reply score was 55/4, but Samson and Hetmyer batted like mad to enable their team to extend its winning streak. After this win, Rajasthan is at the top of the standings.
