IPL 2021: Brian Lara supported Sanju Samson’s decision for retaining the strike on the last ball in a mammoth run chase against Punjab Kings

Sanju Samson started his captaincy journey for Rajasthan Royals in an interesting clash against Punjab Kings on a mixed note. While he became the first skipper to score century in the cash rich league on his captaincy debut but his effort was not enough to ensure that his side cross the line against KL Rahul led franchise.

It was a high scoring match between two sides at Wankhede where Punjab batted first after losing the toss and scored 221 runs in their quota of 20 overs. In reply Royals scored 217 runs due to individual brilliance of Samson who scored 119 runs from 63 balls where his innings was laced with 12 fours and mighty seven sixes.

However despite his superb innings he was in the news for denying a single to Chris Morris in the second last ball of 20^th over  and on the penultimate over of the match royals needed five runs but the hit by Sanju on the last ball went straight in the hands of Deepak Hooda at long-off region.

As the match was finished and Royals lost by four runs experts were divided into two halves where some ex cricketers backed Sanju Samson’s decision while some critcised him.

Legendary batsman Brian Lara believes that RR skipper has done the right thing by refusing the single as he was batting right from the start and was striking ball beautifully as compare to Morris who recently arrived at the crease.

“I think it was the right decision. I think if anybody had to hit a boundary, it had to be Sanju Samson. If he had gone back for the 2nd run, there was an opportunity to get him run-out. I think he did the right thing. No doubts about it in my mind. Tremendous innings. I would not point fingers at him for not taking that single in the last over,” Lara told Star Sports.