He also credited RR bowlers for their win over CSK.
R Ashwin delivered an absolutely stunning all-round performance to help Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 5 wickets in their last league game of the IPL 2022 and also took them into the playoffs, finishing at the second spot in the points table.
Ashwin picked one wicket while conceding 24 runs in his quota of four overs, as RR restricted CSK to 150/6. Chasing the total, RR didn’t have a great start, but Yashasvi Jaiswal (59) and R Ashwin (40*) managed to take the side over the line in the final over to ensure a playoff berth on May 20.
RR captain Sanju Samson heaped praise on Ashwin for his superb all-round performance in the 68th match of the ongoing IPL 2022 at Brabourne Stadium. The Indian off-spinner was adjudged player of the match for his superb efforts with both bat and ball.
Samson said during the post-match presentation: “Ashwin has done a great job and has turned out to be a great all-rounder for us. We feel good. The way we've played throughout the league stage stands out. We've had great games where almost everyone has stood up to win games. We deserve to be in this position is what I feel.”
Hailing his bowlers to bring RR back in the match, the skipper said: “It was important to understand that the wicket was good and they just kept going. It's hard to stop someone like Moeen Ali. It was okay to go for runs. We knew we could believe in our bowlers to come back stronger (and) we came back stronger than expected to give just 75 after the powerplay.”
Samson also has a special mention for Obed McCoy, who snared two wickets while giving away 20 runs in his four overs against the CSK.
He signed off by saying, “I wanted to bring McCoy over when the powerplay was done and he was more confident and comfortable. He used his change-ups and is maturing as a cricketer really well.”
(With IANS Inputs)