Sanju Samson has etched his name into the annals of Rajasthan Royals history, becoming the franchise’s most successful captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a commanding 50-run victory over Punjab Kings on Saturday. The match, held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, marked Samson’s 32nd victory as skipper, surpassing the legendary Shane Warne‘s record of 31 wins.
Warne, who famously led RR to the title in the IPL’s inaugural 2008 season, achieved 31 wins from 55 matches. Samson, on the other hand, has now secured 32 victories from 62 matches, solidifying his legacy as the Royals’ most prolific leader.
The win not only broke records but also ended Shreyas Iyer‘s impressive eight-match unbeaten streak as captain of Punjab Kings. Iyer’s run had been a testament to his leadership, but Samson’s Royals proved too strong on the day.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the star with the bat for Rajasthan, smashing a brisk 67 off just 45 balls. His opening partnership with Samson, who contributed 38, set the tone for a formidable total of 205/4. This was Rajasthan’s highest score at the Mullanpur venue in six matches. Riyan Parag added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 43 off 25 balls, showcasing his explosive form.
In defense of their total, Jofra Archer made an immediate impact, claiming two wickets in the opening over. His spell of 3/25 earned him the Player of the Match award. Despite a valiant 62 from Nehal Wadhera, Punjab Kings could only muster 155/9, falling short of the target.
Rajasthan’s bowling attack maintained control throughout the innings, ensuring Punjab suffered their first loss of the season. An interesting statistic from the match is that teams defending totals over 170 have now succeeded nine out of ten times in T20s at Mullanpur, where Punjab have lost five out of six games.
Under Samson’s leadership, the Royals appear reinvigorated and poised for a strong campaign in IPL 2025. His strategic acumen and the team’s performance signal a promising season ahead.