Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson showered rich praise on wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal after his team’s nervy three-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday (April 10).
Chahal returned with the figures of 4 for 41 in his four overs as RR restricted LSG to 162/8 while defending the total of 165/6. He got the prized scalp of Quinton de Kock (39), Ayush Badoni (5), Krunal Pandya (22), and Dushmantha Chameera to turn the match in Lucknow’s favour.
After the game, Samson termed Chahal as the “greatest leg-spinner” in India at present.
"He is someone who can be given the ball from over 1 or over 20. He is the greatest legspinner India has ever seen at present. He is a great matchwinner, Ashwin's four overs are also crucial so why not use him later in the innings," said Samson in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Despite Chahal’s fantastic spell, the match went down to the wire as Marcus Stoinis (38* off 17 balls) produced a stunning cameo but it wasn’t enough to take LSG over the line. Debutant pacer Kuldeep Sen successfully defended 15 runs in the final over for RR.
"Didn't know we are top of the table. (Kuldeep) Depends upon how he bowled his first three overs. I thought he had done really well and had the confidence to bowl those wide yorkers. Whatever I saw in Syed Mushtaq Ali after that Royals picked him up. He is a special talent, can be for India soon," Samson said.
Earlier, RR rode on Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 off 36 balls (1 four and 6 sixes) to post 165/6 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
With the ball, veteran pacer Trent Boult provided RR a terrific start, removing KL Rahul (0) and K Gowtham (0) on successive deliveries in the very first over. The left-armer too returned with impressive figures of 2/30 in his four overs.
Rajasthan Royals have won three out of their four matches in IPL 2022 so far and they will next face Gujarat Titans on Thursday (April 14).
(With ANI inputs)
