IPL 2023: Sanju Samson enjoying the Favorite tag with RR, says "looking to finishing well"

Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals begin their IPL 2023 with a dominating win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Last season’s runners up Rajasthan Royals had a dominating beginning of their IPL 2023 campaign. Hot favorites of this year Royals register one of their biggest wins in the league. They outclassed hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad by 72 runs. Sunrisers Hyderabad played under Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s leadership due to the absence of Aiden Markram. Rajasthan in the entire game looked a dominating side, batting first they made good use of the wicket and smashed 203 runs in their 20 overs. Hyderabad while chasing the target never looked comfortable before Royals bowling attack and finished their innings on 131. Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 4 wickets and gave only 17 runs, while pacer Trent Boult picked up 2 and gave only 21 runs.

Sanju Samson enjoying the Hot favouritse tag with Rajasthan Royals

After winning the toss, SRH Captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar invited Rajasthan to bat first. Royals opener Jos Buttler (54) and Yashaswi Jaiswal (54) made a mockery of Hyderabad’s bowling unit and added 85 runs in their powerplay partnership. Captain Sanju Samson also had a wonderful game with the bat as well, scoring 55 runs in 32 balls. Royals Top 3 batters laid the foundation for a big score and Hetmyer (22) capitalised on the start the team got. Sanju Samson in the presentation ceremony expressed the joy after a massive win over Hyderabad. Sanju said, “I was wondering how we will start this season, very happy the way season has begun”. Rajasthan Royals are the hot favorites for the tournament. Sanju looked confident as a skipper about this tag and said, “We are a very good side, but you know this format… Today was a very good start but we are looking at finishing things as well”.

Sunrisers Hyderabad waiting for their African firepower

Captaining in the absence of Aiden Markram, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not pleased with Hyderabad’s performance. Some late hitting from Abdul Samad and Umran Malik helped SRH add 36 runs in 13 balls at the business end of the innings. Bhuvi looked concerned about the bowling and said, “We did not bowl pretty well, this is the first match of the season and we have plenty to improve”. He also added, “When the South Africans come in definitely we will be a much better side”. Markaram, Klassen and Jansen will land in India as soon as South Africa’s bilateral series with Netherlands gets over.

Clear mindset helping Buttler to start aggressively

Player of the match award went to Rajasthan Royals' opener and wicket-keeper, Jos Buttler. He looked to continue his previous season's form as well. Buttler played an unbelievable innings of 54 in just 22 deliveries hitting 7 fours and 3 long sixes. From the ball one, Royals' openers put the pressure on Hyderabad. Jos Buttler looked confident about the upcoming games as well. Buttler expressed his happiness and said, “It is a fantastic start, we had a really good last season but this is a great marker for this time”. Buttler has also talked about his plan as an opener for Royals. He said that he is looking to put the pressure back on the bowlers as soon as he enters the field and he is playing with a clear mindset.

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