He is the biggest hunter of IPL. When the ball is caught, the scoreboard of the opposing team stops. He gives fewer runs and takes more wickets. He is also the leader of the most stingy bowlers in the Indian Premier League. Dhoni-Virat also trembles in front of him. But, amazingly, Sanju Samson kills him a lot.
The name of the IPL hunter we are talking about is Rashid Khan, who is currently in the limelight. Not because of any of his exploits or charisma, but because Sanju Samson has beaten him a lot. You know that in IPL 2023, there was a match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans on the evening of 16 April. Just within this match, the Samson vs Rashid match also went on.
Sanju Samson's blast against Rashid Khan
Sanju Samson scored 60 off 32 balls at a strike rate of over 187 against Gujarat Titans, hitting 6 sixes. But, during this inning, he played 9 balls of Rashid Khan and hit him for 28 runs at a strike rate of 311.11. Meaning, say that he has scored almost half the runs of his innings on Rashid only.
Hit 3 sixes in one over
Not only this, but out of the 6 sixes he hit in the match, he hit 3 sixes against Rashid and hit him in a single over. Rashid was hit for more than 4 sixes in a single over by Gayle just once in IPL 2018.
Dhoni wavers against Rashid- Virat!
Sanju Samson blew the test by beating Rashid Khan in just one IPL match. But, while playing the same Rashid Khan, as if MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli's hands and feet get swollen. Dhoni doesn't even have a strike rate of 70 against Rashid. So far in IPL, facing 35 balls, he has scored only 24 runs on Rashid.
At the same time, Virat Kohli also looks far away from his ability against him. He has scored 54 runs in 46 balls against Rashid in IPL at a strike rate of 117.39 and has been dismissed twice.
Sanju lashed out at Rashid and gave a message to the management
It is clear that Sanju Samson has washed away the bowler whom Dhoni and Virat hesitated to hit. Or just say that the thread has been kept open. Sanju's attack against Rashid is also a message for the Indian team management.
He has forced the management on his decision with his innings. This question has been asked that will you give me a chance now? And, if still someone has doubts about Samson's ability and feels that he is not fit to be a part of Team India's playing XI, then it will be called nothing but Indian cricket's misfortune.