In-form Rajasthan Royals batsman Sanju Samson on Sunday said he has been timing the ball really well for the last one year but was left frustrated after some of the things that he tried didn’t work out.
Samson hit quickfire 74 and 85 in the last two IPL innings, scoring a total of 159 runs at an average of 79.50.
“I have been hitting it well for the past one year. So I was just sticking to my routine and feeling confident. I am happy to win a few games,” Samson said after helping the Royals beat Kings XI Punjab by four wickets.
“I was trying hard but things were not happening. I did a lot of soul searching after being frustrated at trying stuff. Then I worked hard.
“I asked myself what do I need to achieve? I told myself I have 10 years of this wonderful game in me, and I have to give everything to these 10 years.”
He hit seven sixes and four boundaries in his 42-ball 85 that kept the Royals in the hunt while chasing the target of 224.
Talking about his power-hitting, he said: “The power comes from genes. My father is a very powerful man.”
The Royals skipper Steve Smith heaped praise on Samson.
“Sanju is striking the ball cleanly all over the ground. Taking pressure off everyone,” Smith said.
Smith also praised Rahul Tewatia, who turned the match on its head with five sixes in the 18th over off Sheldon Cottrell.
“That was something else, wasn’t it? What we have seen from Tewatia in the nets is what we saw in that Cottrell over. I told someone as along as he gets one, floodgates will open. He showed heart.
“He told me during the timeout we still believe, Three sixes of Shami, three off Cottrell. Jofra again. First four balls sixes the other night. First two tonight.”
