IPL 2021: Match 4, RR vs PBKS – Who Said What

The 4^th match of the Indian Premier League saw action between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals. PBKS won the nail-biting thriller by four runs. Winning the toss, the new skipper of RR Sanju Samson invited the army of KL Rahul to bat first. Rahul played a captain’s inning and turned in absolutely lethal form as he smashed 91 runs off 50 balls from his end.

Samson was declared as the player of the match for playing some fearless brand of cricket amid the crunch situations. Rahul was supported well enough by Chris Gayle (40 off 28) and Deepak Hooda (64 off 28) due to which PBKS could put up a massive 221 runs on the board. From Rajasthan’s bowling artillery, it was debutant Chetan Sakariya’s day as he picked up three wickets and remained the most economical one. Chris Morris picked two wickets for his team.

Arshdeep Singh saved the game for PBKS at the end

 Chasing the gigantic target, the opening pair of Manan Vohra and Ben Stokes couldn’t give the desired start to the team. Samson got in the form of his life and played a magnificent knock of 119 runs off 63 balls. While he kept the game alive till the very end, lack of support from the other end made them lose the grip of the game. Young Arshdeep Singh clinched three wickets under his belt while being fairly economical for PBKS.

Winning skipper, KL Rahul said:

 I didn’t stop believing in the team, and we knew a couple of wickets will bring us back. The game went deep only because me included, we dropped some sitters. We bowled well until about 11-12 overs. We’re used to this, and it’s not something new for us, but a win like this brings the team together. We batted really well and bowled well in patches. We weren’t consistent with the lengths but the bowlers will learn. A lot of talented, skilful players, and it’s important that we back them. It was an amazing innings from Hooda, and that’s the kind of fearless batting we want to see in the IPL. We have been tentative sometimes, and it’s important for us to play fearlessly at times, so I am happy that the expectations are being understood and met. Gayle and Hooda were both good that way. I always go to Arshdeep for crucial overs and he enjoys the pressure. He loves being in the contest and I love throwing him the ball, and he trusts himself and trusts his skills, so that’s always good to see.

Losing skipper, Sanju Samson said:

 ‘I don’t have words to tell, very close game, came close but unfortunately.. I don’t think I could have done anything more, timed it well, but unfortunately couldn’t clear the man in the deep. It’s all part of the game (when asked about the bowlers going for plenty from both sides), we thought the wicket was getting better and we could chase the target down. Despite the loss, I think the team played really well.’

Player of the match, Sanju Samson said:

I think the second part of the innings was the best I ever played, took my time and respected the bowlers. I took the singles and got into a rhythm to play my shots. I enjoy my shots but I come back to the present after I play those shots. It automatically happens, when I focus on my skills and watch the ball and react. Sometimes I lose my wicket also, so I just play the same way. It’s about trusting my processes to be honest, and I did that, and it came off tonight. The coin looked really nice so I pocketed it, asked the referee if I can have it, but he said no.