Newly-appointed Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has reckoned that the team will give their openers enough time to settle down in their role this year. The statement from the 26-year-old came on the eve of his team’s IPL 2021 opener against Punjab Kings at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
Samson also hinted at ‘a bit of stability’ when it comes to the team’s opening pair. Notably, last year, as many as 5 players opened the batting for the 2008 champions.
Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa and Ben Stokes partnered at different stages of the tournament to give Royals the much-needed stability at the top. Uthappa, who was traded to CSK and Ben Stokes opened for RR in their last 5 matches as the team finished last in the league stage. With Steve Smith also gone from the team, Rajasthan will have to choose a pair between Buttler, Stokes, Yashasvi and Samson.
“Sanga and I will try to give the best combination for our team,” Samson said during a virtual press conference. “From my point of view, I feel it’s important to give an individual or a pair of opening partners enough time in the tournament, so I think a bit of stability will be seen this time in the tournament. I think the rest will depend upon how we go,” Samson said in a virtual press-conference.
On the flip side, RR’s director of Cricket, said that a decision over the opening combination was yet to be made. The Sri Lanka legend reckoned that making the players commit to their role was most important.
