119- SANJU SAMSON (RR) vs PBKS

Probably the best knock in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament, only to come in a defeat was played by first-time captain Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 4^th match of the IPL 2021 in Mumbai.

Samson in his first match as RR captain won the toss and chose to bowl first. He regretted the decision as PBKS put up 221/6 in 20 overs. KL Rahul made 91 in 50 balls with 5 sixes and 7 fours, while Chris Gayle made 40 and Deepak Hooda smoked 64 in 28 balls with 6 sixes and 4 fours.

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RR didn’t have a very good start to their innings as Ben Stokes was out for a duck on the 3^rd ball of the first over, while Manan Vohra made 12. Enter Sanju Samson, who single-handedly kept his team in the chase, despite the odds stacked against him.

Jos Buttler (25), Shivam Dube (23), and Riyan Parag (25) played some important cameos, but it was a Sanju Samson show in all.

He slammed 119 runs, becoming the first player in IPL history to score a century on his captaincy debut. He hit 12 fours and 7 sixes in his 63-ball knock and was dismissed on the last ball, trying to hit a maximum with five runs needed on the last ball of 20^th over.

Though heart-breaking, Sanju Samson’s 119 was one of the best knocks in the first half of the IPL 2021.