News Analysis India

Tag: Rajasthan Royals

  • Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen backs Jos Buttler to continue sensational run in IPL

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some of the shots he played you can’t buy them”, raved Kevin Pietersen, who backed Jos Buttler to continue his stellar show in the IPL as he is in “sublime” form.

    Buttler has been in sensational form for Rajasthan Royals, scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

    “We are running out of adjectives and superlatives. The IPL is made incredible by the innings like these,” Pietersen said on ‘Star Sports’.

    “The spectators love this, we love this, everybody in the studio loved this. I mean some of the shots he played you can’t buy them. You can’t practice that (because) no one sells it.

    “You either have it or you don’t. He’s such a fine talent and in such a sublime form. When he starts to strike like that sometimes you’ve just got to say you know what, this guy is so good. He took his time and capitalised.

    Against the Capitals, Buttler hit nine sixes and as many fours in his sparkling 116 from 65 balls to take Rajasthan to 222-2.

    “Jos did an unbelievable job against Delhi Capitals (in the previous game). I am sure he’ll continue to do so because when you’re in this kind of form in the tournament, you’ll just bat and bat and bat, especially when the wickets are this good.

    “So, I don’t expect him to change the way he plays,” he said.

    MUMBAI: Some of the shots he played you can’t buy them”, raved Kevin Pietersen, who backed Jos Buttler to continue his stellar show in the IPL as he is in “sublime” form.

    Buttler has been in sensational form for Rajasthan Royals, scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

    “We are running out of adjectives and superlatives. The IPL is made incredible by the innings like these,” Pietersen said on ‘Star Sports’.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The spectators love this, we love this, everybody in the studio loved this. I mean some of the shots he played you can’t buy them. You can’t practice that (because) no one sells it.

    “You either have it or you don’t. He’s such a fine talent and in such a sublime form. When he starts to strike like that sometimes you’ve just got to say you know what, this guy is so good. He took his time and capitalised.

    Against the Capitals, Buttler hit nine sixes and as many fours in his sparkling 116 from 65 balls to take Rajasthan to 222-2.

    “Jos did an unbelievable job against Delhi Capitals (in the previous game). I am sure he’ll continue to do so because when you’re in this kind of form in the tournament, you’ll just bat and bat and bat, especially when the wickets are this good.

    “So, I don’t expect him to change the way he plays,” he said.

  • Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen backs Jos Buttler to continue sensational run in IPL

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some of the shots he played you can’t buy them”, raved Kevin Pietersen, who backed Jos Buttler to continue his stellar show in the IPL as he is in “sublime” form.

    Buttler has been in sensational form for Rajasthan Royals, scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

    “We are running out of adjectives and superlatives. The IPL is made incredible by the innings like these,” Pietersen said on ‘Star Sports’.

    “The spectators love this, we love this, everybody in the studio loved this. I mean some of the shots he played you can’t buy them. You can’t practice that (because) no one sells it.

    “You either have it or you don’t. He’s such a fine talent and in such a sublime form. When he starts to strike like that sometimes you’ve just got to say you know what, this guy is so good. He took his time and capitalised.

    Against the Capitals, Buttler hit nine sixes and as many fours in his sparkling 116 from 65 balls to take Rajasthan to 222-2.

    “Jos did an unbelievable job against Delhi Capitals (in the previous game). I am sure he’ll continue to do so because when you’re in this kind of form in the tournament, you’ll just bat and bat and bat, especially when the wickets are this good.

    “So, I don’t expect him to change the way he plays,” he said.

  • We are late already, this will happen a lot going forward: Ashwin on retiring himself out

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: R Ashwin feels the IPL is already late in using “retired out” as a tactical move and after becoming the first one to do so, the India spinner expects to see a lot more of it in the near future.

    Ashwin batted at No.6 for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday but left the field after two balls in the 19th over to make way for Riyan Parag.

    He had scored 28 off 23 before retiring himself out.

    “T20, as a sport, is heading towards where football has reached. Just like how they’re using substitutions, I did something similar (retiring out). Already we’re late, but I believe this will happen a lot in the coming days.

    “I don’t think it will be a stigma like running someone out at the non-striker’s end,” said Ashwin on his Youtube channel. However, he thinks the move might not work always.

    “It might work sometimes and it might not work sometimes. These things happen constantly in football, and we haven’t cracked T20 cricket fully yet. This is a millennial sport. This is the next generation’s sport.

    “In fact, if you see in football, Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo score goals frequently. But their team’s goalkeeper should also save goals and their defenders should defend well. Only then, a Messi or Ronaldo will be in the limelight.” 

    Since he was not able to get the desired boundaries in the slog overs, Ashwin thought it was best to make way for Parag.

    “It was just a tactical move. In fact, Riyan Parag has been batting very well and when the (K) Gowtham over (16th over) ended, I gave myself some time – five to six balls – to see whether I can hit a six or two fours.

    “There were a few balls in the slot, I tried to hit, and mistimed a bit. I threw the kitchen sink at everything, but I couldn’t get the timing going. Someone like Riyan Parag was in the shed and there were only ten balls remaining. If he comes and hits even two sixes, we could get a good score. It was a tactical decision.”

    Ashwin was also the first in the IPL to effect a run out of a non-striker backing up when he controversially dislodged the bails to dismiss Jos Buttler in 2019.

    In a recent update, the custodians of laws of cricket, MCC, moved the run out dismissal while backing up to Law 38 (run out) from Law 41 (unfair play).

    “The bowler is always painted as the villain but it is a legitimate way to dismiss someone and it is the non-striker who is stealing the ground,” Fraser Stewart, MCC Laws Manager, told the Times after the rules were reframed.

    “It is legitimate, it is a run-out and therefore it should live in the run-out section of the laws,” he had said.

    NEW DELHI: R Ashwin feels the IPL is already late in using “retired out” as a tactical move and after becoming the first one to do so, the India spinner expects to see a lot more of it in the near future.

    Ashwin batted at No.6 for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday but left the field after two balls in the 19th over to make way for Riyan Parag.

    He had scored 28 off 23 before retiring himself out.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “T20, as a sport, is heading towards where football has reached. Just like how they’re using substitutions, I did something similar (retiring out). Already we’re late, but I believe this will happen a lot in the coming days.

    “I don’t think it will be a stigma like running someone out at the non-striker’s end,” said Ashwin on his Youtube channel. However, he thinks the move might not work always.

    “It might work sometimes and it might not work sometimes. These things happen constantly in football, and we haven’t cracked T20 cricket fully yet. This is a millennial sport. This is the next generation’s sport.

    “In fact, if you see in football, Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo score goals frequently. But their team’s goalkeeper should also save goals and their defenders should defend well. Only then, a Messi or Ronaldo will be in the limelight.” 

    Since he was not able to get the desired boundaries in the slog overs, Ashwin thought it was best to make way for Parag.

    “It was just a tactical move. In fact, Riyan Parag has been batting very well and when the (K) Gowtham over (16th over) ended, I gave myself some time – five to six balls – to see whether I can hit a six or two fours.

    “There were a few balls in the slot, I tried to hit, and mistimed a bit. I threw the kitchen sink at everything, but I couldn’t get the timing going. Someone like Riyan Parag was in the shed and there were only ten balls remaining. If he comes and hits even two sixes, we could get a good score. It was a tactical decision.”

    Ashwin was also the first in the IPL to effect a run out of a non-striker backing up when he controversially dislodged the bails to dismiss Jos Buttler in 2019.

    In a recent update, the custodians of laws of cricket, MCC, moved the run out dismissal while backing up to Law 38 (run out) from Law 41 (unfair play).

    “The bowler is always painted as the villain but it is a legitimate way to dismiss someone and it is the non-striker who is stealing the ground,” Fraser Stewart, MCC Laws Manager, told the Times after the rules were reframed.

    “It is legitimate, it is a run-out and therefore it should live in the run-out section of the laws,” he had said.

  • We are late already, this will happen a lot going forward: Ashwin on retiring himself out

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: R Ashwin feels the IPL is already late in using “retired out” as a tactical move and after becoming the first one to do so, the India spinner expects to see a lot more of it in the near future.

    Ashwin batted at No.6 for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday but left the field after two balls in the 19th over to make way for Riyan Parag.

    He had scored 28 off 23 before retiring himself out.

    “T20, as a sport, is heading towards where football has reached. Just like how they’re using substitutions, I did something similar (retiring out). Already we’re late, but I believe this will happen a lot in the coming days.

    “I don’t think it will be a stigma like running someone out at the non-striker’s end,” said Ashwin on his Youtube channel. However, he thinks the move might not work always.

    “It might work sometimes and it might not work sometimes. These things happen constantly in football, and we haven’t cracked T20 cricket fully yet. This is a millennial sport. This is the next generation’s sport.

    “In fact, if you see in football, Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo score goals frequently. But their team’s goalkeeper should also save goals and their defenders should defend well. Only then, a Messi or Ronaldo will be in the limelight.” 

    Since he was not able to get the desired boundaries in the slog overs, Ashwin thought it was best to make way for Parag.

    “It was just a tactical move. In fact, Riyan Parag has been batting very well and when the (K) Gowtham over (16th over) ended, I gave myself some time – five to six balls – to see whether I can hit a six or two fours.

    “There were a few balls in the slot, I tried to hit, and mistimed a bit. I threw the kitchen sink at everything, but I couldn’t get the timing going. Someone like Riyan Parag was in the shed and there were only ten balls remaining. If he comes and hits even two sixes, we could get a good score. It was a tactical decision.”

    Ashwin was also the first in the IPL to effect a run out of a non-striker backing up when he controversially dislodged the bails to dismiss Jos Buttler in 2019.

    In a recent update, the custodians of laws of cricket, MCC, moved the run out dismissal while backing up to Law 38 (run out) from Law 41 (unfair play).

    “The bowler is always painted as the villain but it is a legitimate way to dismiss someone and it is the non-striker who is stealing the ground,” Fraser Stewart, MCC Laws Manager, told the Times after the rules were reframed.

    “It is legitimate, it is a run-out and therefore it should live in the run-out section of the laws,” he had said.

  • Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans​ set for high-voltage clash

    By PTI

    NAVI MUMBAI: A battle royale is on the cards when Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans take on the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals, two line-ups armed with potent bowling units in a top-of-the-table IPL showdown here on Thursday.

    The Royals put together one of the best if not the best bowling attacks for this season and all their spinners and pacers have been right on the mark.

    The seasoned Trent Boult has continued to reign fire with the new ball and has been equally impressive in the slog overs.

    In the previous game against Lucknow Super Giants, he bowled a fiery opening spell to get rid of skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham in the very first over.

    Prasidh Krishna has given a glimpse of why he is touted to be the next fast-bowling sensation in Indian cricket.

    Alongside Boult, the duo has bowled with pace and aggression.

    Rookie Kuldeep Sen too proved he has the stomach to play with the bigwigs.

    He performed tremendously under pressure on his debut, defending 15 runs off the last over against LSG.

    The spin duties, on the other hand, are being ably carried out by senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the wily Yuzvendra Chahal.

    The latter is the leading wicket taker in the league at the moment, spinning the opposition batters in to submission.

    The leg spinner has 11 scalps at and economy of 6.50.

    Ashwin though has not had many breakthroughs, the off-spinner has operated at an economy of 6.87 and has managed to choke the opposition for runs.

    It will be a tall task for the Titans’ batters, who are thin on experience, to navigate through the Royals bowling.

    The new-entrants have relied heavily on young opener Shubman Gill, who has been in scintillating form, and Pandya.

    But the skipper, who is known for his pyrotechnics, has been more restrictive in his approach and his looked to take his innings deep.

    Matthew Wade has struggled to get runs while David Miller is also yet to fire, leaving rookies Abhinav Manohar and B Sai Surdharshan with more responsibility.

    However, Rahul Tewatia seems to be loving his role as the finisher tonking sixes at will.

    The Titans boast of formidable bowling unit themselves.

    The pace bowling department includes the likes of Lockie Ferguson, one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, senior India quick Mohammed Shami, and Pandya, all attacking wicket-taking bowlers, who can put the opposition under pressure.

    Rashid Khan, expectedly, is their most economical bowler.

    The opposition batters have preferred to play his four overs out rather than go for the big shots.

    The Titans bowlers, however, lacked sharpness in the loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s first defeat this season.

    It will be interesting to see how they regroup against the Royals batting line up that includes the likes of the flamboyant Jos Buttler, the big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer and Samons besides the prodigiously talented Devdutt Padikkal.

    Both teams have won three games and lost one with the Royals perched on top of the points table owing to a superior net run rate, while the Titans are placed fourth.

    Teams (from):

    Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (captain/wicketkeeper), Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Devdutt Padikkal, Navdeep Saini, Karun Nair, Rassie van der Dussen, James Neesham, Anunay Singh, Daryl Mitchell, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Garhwal, Kuldip Yadav, Kuldeep Sen, Obed McCoy, Tejas Baroka, KC Cariappa.

    Gujarat Titans: Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh, B Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Matthew Wade, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wriddhiman Saha, Alzarri Joseph, Darshan Nalkande, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Pradeep Sangwan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Varun Aaron, Yash Dayal.

    Match starts at 7.30 PM.

    NAVI MUMBAI: A battle royale is on the cards when Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans take on the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals, two line-ups armed with potent bowling units in a top-of-the-table IPL showdown here on Thursday.

    The Royals put together one of the best if not the best bowling attacks for this season and all their spinners and pacers have been right on the mark.

    The seasoned Trent Boult has continued to reign fire with the new ball and has been equally impressive in the slog overs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    In the previous game against Lucknow Super Giants, he bowled a fiery opening spell to get rid of skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham in the very first over.

    Prasidh Krishna has given a glimpse of why he is touted to be the next fast-bowling sensation in Indian cricket.

    Alongside Boult, the duo has bowled with pace and aggression.

    Rookie Kuldeep Sen too proved he has the stomach to play with the bigwigs.

    He performed tremendously under pressure on his debut, defending 15 runs off the last over against LSG.

    The spin duties, on the other hand, are being ably carried out by senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the wily Yuzvendra Chahal.

    The latter is the leading wicket taker in the league at the moment, spinning the opposition batters in to submission.

    The leg spinner has 11 scalps at and economy of 6.50.

    Ashwin though has not had many breakthroughs, the off-spinner has operated at an economy of 6.87 and has managed to choke the opposition for runs.

    It will be a tall task for the Titans’ batters, who are thin on experience, to navigate through the Royals bowling.

    The new-entrants have relied heavily on young opener Shubman Gill, who has been in scintillating form, and Pandya.

    But the skipper, who is known for his pyrotechnics, has been more restrictive in his approach and his looked to take his innings deep.

    Matthew Wade has struggled to get runs while David Miller is also yet to fire, leaving rookies Abhinav Manohar and B Sai Surdharshan with more responsibility.

    However, Rahul Tewatia seems to be loving his role as the finisher tonking sixes at will.

    The Titans boast of formidable bowling unit themselves.

    The pace bowling department includes the likes of Lockie Ferguson, one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, senior India quick Mohammed Shami, and Pandya, all attacking wicket-taking bowlers, who can put the opposition under pressure.

    Rashid Khan, expectedly, is their most economical bowler.

    The opposition batters have preferred to play his four overs out rather than go for the big shots.

    The Titans bowlers, however, lacked sharpness in the loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s first defeat this season.

    It will be interesting to see how they regroup against the Royals batting line up that includes the likes of the flamboyant Jos Buttler, the big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer and Samons besides the prodigiously talented Devdutt Padikkal.

    Both teams have won three games and lost one with the Royals perched on top of the points table owing to a superior net run rate, while the Titans are placed fourth.

    Teams (from):

    Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (captain/wicketkeeper), Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Devdutt Padikkal, Navdeep Saini, Karun Nair, Rassie van der Dussen, James Neesham, Anunay Singh, Daryl Mitchell, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Garhwal, Kuldip Yadav, Kuldeep Sen, Obed McCoy, Tejas Baroka, KC Cariappa.

    Gujarat Titans: Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh, B Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Matthew Wade, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wriddhiman Saha, Alzarri Joseph, Darshan Nalkande, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Pradeep Sangwan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Varun Aaron, Yash Dayal.

    Match starts at 7.30 PM.

  • Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans​ set for high-voltage clash

    By PTI

    NAVI MUMBAI: A battle royale is on the cards when Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans take on the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals, two line-ups armed with potent bowling units in a top-of-the-table IPL showdown here on Thursday.

    The Royals put together one of the best if not the best bowling attacks for this season and all their spinners and pacers have been right on the mark.

    The seasoned Trent Boult has continued to reign fire with the new ball and has been equally impressive in the slog overs.

    In the previous game against Lucknow Super Giants, he bowled a fiery opening spell to get rid of skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham in the very first over.

    Prasidh Krishna has given a glimpse of why he is touted to be the next fast-bowling sensation in Indian cricket.

    Alongside Boult, the duo has bowled with pace and aggression.

    Rookie Kuldeep Sen too proved he has the stomach to play with the bigwigs.

    He performed tremendously under pressure on his debut, defending 15 runs off the last over against LSG.

    The spin duties, on the other hand, are being ably carried out by senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the wily Yuzvendra Chahal.

    The latter is the leading wicket taker in the league at the moment, spinning the opposition batters in to submission.

    The leg spinner has 11 scalps at and economy of 6.50.

    Ashwin though has not had many breakthroughs, the off-spinner has operated at an economy of 6.87 and has managed to choke the opposition for runs.

    It will be a tall task for the Titans’ batters, who are thin on experience, to navigate through the Royals bowling.

    The new-entrants have relied heavily on young opener Shubman Gill, who has been in scintillating form, and Pandya.

    But the skipper, who is known for his pyrotechnics, has been more restrictive in his approach and his looked to take his innings deep.

    Matthew Wade has struggled to get runs while David Miller is also yet to fire, leaving rookies Abhinav Manohar and B Sai Surdharshan with more responsibility.

    However, Rahul Tewatia seems to be loving his role as the finisher tonking sixes at will.

    The Titans boast of formidable bowling unit themselves.

    The pace bowling department includes the likes of Lockie Ferguson, one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, senior India quick Mohammed Shami, and Pandya, all attacking wicket-taking bowlers, who can put the opposition under pressure.

    Rashid Khan, expectedly, is their most economical bowler.

    The opposition batters have preferred to play his four overs out rather than go for the big shots.

    The Titans bowlers, however, lacked sharpness in the loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s first defeat this season.

    It will be interesting to see how they regroup against the Royals batting line up that includes the likes of the flamboyant Jos Buttler, the big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer and Samons besides the prodigiously talented Devdutt Padikkal.

    Both teams have won three games and lost one with the Royals perched on top of the points table owing to a superior net run rate, while the Titans are placed fourth.

    Teams (from):

    Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (captain/wicketkeeper), Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Devdutt Padikkal, Navdeep Saini, Karun Nair, Rassie van der Dussen, James Neesham, Anunay Singh, Daryl Mitchell, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Garhwal, Kuldip Yadav, Kuldeep Sen, Obed McCoy, Tejas Baroka, KC Cariappa.

    Gujarat Titans: Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh, B Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Matthew Wade, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wriddhiman Saha, Alzarri Joseph, Darshan Nalkande, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Pradeep Sangwan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Varun Aaron, Yash Dayal.

    Match starts at 7.30 PM.

  • Rajasthan Royals has been experimenting a lot; Ashwin’s retired out not out of the blue, says Sanju Samson

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has said that Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to ‘retire out’ — which caught everyone, including some of his team-mates, by surprise — was not something out of the blue, and that it had been under discussion in the side before the start of IPL 2022.

    Whether it had been planned by Ashwin or not, but after pushing Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Avesh Khan to cover for a single, he kept running after completing the run and stopped only after reaching the dressing room. The fact that Riyan Parag walked out to bat straightaway meant the team was expecting such a move from Ashwin.

    Ashwin’s batting partner at that time, Shimron Hetmyer struck Khan for sixes of successive deliveries and Parag too struck a big six before getting out, going for another big one off the penultimate delivery of the match to boost RR’s score to 165 for six. The winners of the inaugural IPL edition then restricted LSG to 162/8 for a narrow three-run win.

    Samson conceded that RR were trying out different strategies in the current edition of the IPL.

    “It’s about being Rajasthan Royals. We keep trying different things. Have been talking about it before the season. We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. Was a team decision,” Samson said.

    However, West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer had said after the match that he had no idea about the ‘retired out’ strategy. “I had no idea about it! He (Ashwin) was also a bit tired. It was a good decision, as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us.”

    Rajasthan’s director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara too has praised Ashwin’s decision to sacrifice his wicket.

    “It was the right time to do that. Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well and we had discussed just before that as to what we would do. As the coach I got one call wrong not sending Riyan Parag ahead of Rassie van der Dussen and holding Rassie back.

    “so we couldn’t get the full benefit of Riyan, but how Ashwin handled that situation, walking in under pressure, he batted, supported the team and then finally sacrificed himself in terms of retiring himself out and then backed it up with a magnificent bowling effort,” said Sangakkara.

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has said that Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to ‘retire out’ — which caught everyone, including some of his team-mates, by surprise — was not something out of the blue, and that it had been under discussion in the side before the start of IPL 2022.

    Whether it had been planned by Ashwin or not, but after pushing Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Avesh Khan to cover for a single, he kept running after completing the run and stopped only after reaching the dressing room. The fact that Riyan Parag walked out to bat straightaway meant the team was expecting such a move from Ashwin.

    Ashwin’s batting partner at that time, Shimron Hetmyer struck Khan for sixes of successive deliveries and Parag too struck a big six before getting out, going for another big one off the penultimate delivery of the match to boost RR’s score to 165 for six. The winners of the inaugural IPL edition then restricted LSG to 162/8 for a narrow three-run win.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    Samson conceded that RR were trying out different strategies in the current edition of the IPL.

    “It’s about being Rajasthan Royals. We keep trying different things. Have been talking about it before the season. We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. Was a team decision,” Samson said.

    However, West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer had said after the match that he had no idea about the ‘retired out’ strategy. “I had no idea about it! He (Ashwin) was also a bit tired. It was a good decision, as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us.”

    Rajasthan’s director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara too has praised Ashwin’s decision to sacrifice his wicket.

    “It was the right time to do that. Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well and we had discussed just before that as to what we would do. As the coach I got one call wrong not sending Riyan Parag ahead of Rassie van der Dussen and holding Rassie back.

    “so we couldn’t get the full benefit of Riyan, but how Ashwin handled that situation, walking in under pressure, he batted, supported the team and then finally sacrificed himself in terms of retiring himself out and then backed it up with a magnificent bowling effort,” said Sangakkara.

  • Rajasthan Royals has been experimenting a lot; Ashwin’s retired out not out of the blue, says Sanju Samson

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has said that Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to ‘retire out’ — which caught everyone, including some of his team-mates, by surprise — was not something out of the blue, and that it had been under discussion in the side before the start of IPL 2022.

    Whether it had been planned by Ashwin or not, but after pushing Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Avesh Khan to cover for a single, he kept running after completing the run and stopped only after reaching the dressing room. The fact that Riyan Parag walked out to bat straightaway meant the team was expecting such a move from Ashwin.

    Ashwin’s batting partner at that time, Shimron Hetmyer struck Khan for sixes of successive deliveries and Parag too struck a big six before getting out, going for another big one off the penultimate delivery of the match to boost RR’s score to 165 for six. The winners of the inaugural IPL edition then restricted LSG to 162/8 for a narrow three-run win.

    Samson conceded that RR were trying out different strategies in the current edition of the IPL.

    “It’s about being Rajasthan Royals. We keep trying different things. Have been talking about it before the season. We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. Was a team decision,” Samson said.

    However, West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer had said after the match that he had no idea about the ‘retired out’ strategy. “I had no idea about it! He (Ashwin) was also a bit tired. It was a good decision, as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us.”

    Rajasthan’s director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara too has praised Ashwin’s decision to sacrifice his wicket.

    “It was the right time to do that. Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well and we had discussed just before that as to what we would do. As the coach I got one call wrong not sending Riyan Parag ahead of Rassie van der Dussen and holding Rassie back.

    “so we couldn’t get the full benefit of Riyan, but how Ashwin handled that situation, walking in under pressure, he batted, supported the team and then finally sacrificed himself in terms of retiring himself out and then backed it up with a magnificent bowling effort,” said Sangakkara.

  • Never expected to get Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashwin in auctions: Rajasthan Royals’ Kumar Sangakkara

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Kumar Sangakkara praised spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and said that the franchise never expected to get them in the auctions.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “I think they are the best two spinners going around by far. They bowl extremely well together, they bowl well individually. Both of them are aware of their skills and strengths. We never expected to get both of them in the auctions, let alone one. But we were lucky and fortunate to have them and all we are trying to do is support them to get better. They just go out there and lead our attack and have been excellent,” said Sangakkara in a post-match press conference.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    “I had no conversation with Kuldeep regarding the last over. I think Sanju, Jos, and other players around supported him. We had pretty simple plans of bowling in the death. I just want to say how he impressed everyone and especially me. The way he handled his first game and bowled at the right lengths in the hardest over,” said Sangakkara.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Kumar Sangakkara praised spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and said that the franchise never expected to get them in the auctions.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “I think they are the best two spinners going around by far. They bowl extremely well together, they bowl well individually. Both of them are aware of their skills and strengths. We never expected to get both of them in the auctions, let alone one. But we were lucky and fortunate to have them and all we are trying to do is support them to get better. They just go out there and lead our attack and have been excellent,” said Sangakkara in a post-match press conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    “I had no conversation with Kuldeep regarding the last over. I think Sanju, Jos, and other players around supported him. We had pretty simple plans of bowling in the death. I just want to say how he impressed everyone and especially me. The way he handled his first game and bowled at the right lengths in the hardest over,” said Sangakkara.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Never expected to get Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashwin in auctions: Rajasthan Royals’ Kumar Sangakkara

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Kumar Sangakkara praised spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and said that the franchise never expected to get them in the auctions.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “I think they are the best two spinners going around by far. They bowl extremely well together, they bowl well individually. Both of them are aware of their skills and strengths. We never expected to get both of them in the auctions, let alone one. But we were lucky and fortunate to have them and all we are trying to do is support them to get better. They just go out there and lead our attack and have been excellent,” said Sangakkara in a post-match press conference.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    “I had no conversation with Kuldeep regarding the last over. I think Sanju, Jos, and other players around supported him. We had pretty simple plans of bowling in the death. I just want to say how he impressed everyone and especially me. The way he handled his first game and bowled at the right lengths in the hardest over,” said Sangakkara.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.