Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], April 12 : Rajasthan Royals (RR) appeared to be gaining momentum with two consecutive wins last week, but their progress was halted by a crushing 58-run defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) on Wednesday. The loss exposed vulnerabilities in both their batting and bowling departments. However, captain Sanju Samson remains confident in his relatively youthful squad, emphasizing their cricketing experience despite their age.
Speaking to reporters, Samson said, “Yes, this time we have a much younger side, but there are lots of positives. They may be young in age, but many have international and IPL experience. I don’t think they are young in a cricketing sense.”
Samson expressed full faith in promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Shubham Dubey, expecting them to rise to the occasion in the upcoming matches. He also acknowledged his evolving role within the team compared to his responsibilities in the Indian T20I setup.
“My role changes depending on the team I’m playing for,” Samson explained. “With India, we bat deep and I’m expected to attack from the start. In RR, the team combination demands a different approach. I’m experienced enough to adapt and also guide this young unit.”
He praised head coach Rahul Dravid’s influence on nurturing young talent, saying the team is “in the right hands.”
Samson didn’t rule out changes in the playing XI if needed. “We picked players to give them a chance. Whether it’s juniors or seasoned professionals, we’re here to win. That’s the priority,” he emphasized.
With the tournament entering its crucial phase, Samson stressed the importance of consistency and belief. “We’re past the early phase. It’s the business end now, and we need to win as many games as possible.”
On a positive note, wrist-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has rejoined the team after a brief personal break and is available for selection against his former franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday.
Addressing the issue of slow over-rates, Samson admitted it remains a challenge. “Playing four fast bowlers makes it tricky, but we’ll bowl as fast as we can to avoid penalties.”