IPL 2023: 'Will take lesson and move on', Sanju Samson expresses disappointment over loss to LSG

Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals faced 10-run defeat in hands of visitors LSG.

Once It looked like Rajasthan Royals were in cruise control in the 154 run chase against Lucknow Super Giants. When the Royals lost their opening wicket of Yashaswi Jaiswal, they needed 67 runs in 51 balls. From then Lucknow with a great fight back ended up defeating Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs. Avesh Khan and Marcus Stoinis in partnership curtailed the Royals middle order from building a big partnership. After Jaiswal and Buttler’s partnership, Royals failed to carry the momentum forward. In a bowling friendly wicket, Lucknow’s Kyle Mayers was the top scorer with 51 runs in 42 balls. Only 9 sixes being hit by both the teams in this two paced wicket.

Bowlers brought Lucknow back in the game

Lucknow with two points from this game have now tied with the Royals in the points table. KL Rahul (39) and Kyle Mayers started the inning nicely for Lucknow. They both added 82 runs for the opening wicket. Captain KL Rahul was happy with Lucknow’s bowling performance. He said, “We fell short 10 runs short but we made that up with our bowling”. Talking about the wicket Rahul said that they had to change the strategy after the first over. He said, “We came in here yesterday and saw 180 would be par score, but the first over from Boult, Me, and Kyle and realized this is not 180 wicket”.

Rajasthan will take lessons from the loss

The Royals did not have a happy homecoming in Jaipur. Captain Sanju Samson was disappointed with the performance. Sanju expressed his not so happy feelings and said, “Not that happy feeling after a loss, but it’s ok. We would have loved to win the first game at Jaipur. We will take lessons and move on". Sanju was also disappointed with the batting and said, “With the batting line-up we have, it was a very chasable target. But they bowled well. They used the conditions well”. Sanju’s wicket turned the wicket completely in Lucknow’s favor.

LSG all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was awarded player of the match for his small but important contribution of 21 runs with the bat and also for picking up 2 important wickets in bowling. He picked up the important wicket of Jos Buttler. Stoinis said, “Nice to get involved with the ball, had no real plans to get Jos out but I just used some cricketing smarts and bowled it short onto the wickets”. Stoinis and Avesh brought Lucknow back in the game.