Sanju Samson Reflects on RR’s Crushing Defeat to RCB: ‘Phil Salt and Virat Kohli Dominated the Powerplay’
In a stunning display of batting prowess, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dismantled Rajasthan Royals (RR) by nine wickets at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, leaving RR captain Sanju Samson to rue his team’s inability to counter the explosive start by RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli.
Despite posting a competitive total of 174 runs on a sluggish Jaipur pitch, RR were left shell-shocked as RCB chased down the target with 15 balls to spare. Samson, speaking at the post-match presentation, pinpointed the game-changing moment to the powerplay, where RCB’s intent outshone his side’s efforts. ‘After losing the toss on a slow wicket, a score of 170-plus was a good total. But Salt and Kohli won the game in the powerplay itself,’ he admitted candidly.
Phil Salt, the dynamic English opener, set the tone with a blistering 65 off just 33 balls, peppering the boundary with aggressive strokeplay. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, the cornerstone of RCB’s batting lineup, notched up his record 100th T20 half-century, finishing unbeaten on 62. Kohli’s composure complemented Salt’s fireworks, and together with a crucial 83-run partnership alongside Devdutt Padikkal (who scored a steady 40), they ensured RCB cruised to victory with clinical precision.
RR’s woes were compounded by sloppy fielding, with multiple dropped catches offering RCB batters lifelines. However, Samson refused to pin the blame solely on fielding errors. ‘They dropped ours, we dropped theirs. But their intent was far superior, and that made all the difference,’ he said, reflecting on the stark contrast in approach. ‘I would’ve liked to take this game to the 19th or 20th over, but we couldn’t build that pressure.’
Despite suffering back-to-back losses in the IPL 2023 season, Samson remains optimistic about RR’s prospects. ‘People have owned up to their mistakes. We’re in a good mindset, and we need to bounce back quickly,’ he asserted, signaling a determination to rally his troops for the challenges ahead. RR, who started the season with promise, now face the task of regrouping to maintain their playoff aspirations.
For RCB, this dominant performance marks a significant boost in their mid-season campaign. With Virat Kohli in sublime form—having already scored over 400 runs in the tournament—and emerging talents like Salt stepping up, the Bengaluru outfit looks poised to build momentum. Their ability to chase down a challenging total on a tricky pitch underlines their growing confidence as title contenders.
As the IPL 2023 season intensifies, this clash serves as a reminder of the fine margins that define T20 cricket. For Rajasthan Royals, it’s back to the drawing board, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to carry this ruthless form into their next encounter. Can RR rediscover their winning touch, or will RCB continue their surge? Only time will tell.