'Same Ball, Same Six': Sanju Samson Lights Up Nets, Teases IPL Return
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Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson geared up for a potential comeback on May 18 with a brutal assault during the nets.
An exhibition of ferocious hitting during a net session may have set in stone Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson's comeback ahead of the team's next Indian Premier League game. The Royals hinted at the full-time skipper's return following an injury-forced absence with a clip of him going ablaze in an open net at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium before their clash with Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday, May 18.
Entering beast mode against the spinners and pacers available during the Royals' net session, Samson played some mesmerising strokes, including a definite maximum towards the mid-wicket area against RR's backup seamer Ashok Sharma. As Sharma walked back to his mark, he was heard saying on the mic 'kal bhi yeh chakka khaya tha maine, same ball same chakka (yesterday also I got hit for the same six in the nets by you. Same ball same six)."
38 seconds of Sanju Samson saying Halla Bol! 🔥💗 pic.twitter.com/FZ921SZiW9 — Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 17, 2025
Samson's delightful batting in the clip has raised speculations of him making a return for the Royals' last few games in what has been a disappointing campaign for the skipper and his team. The elegant right-hander kickstarted the tournament with finger injury troubles that reduced his participation in RR's first three games to an 'Impact Player' as the BCCI's physios barred him from wicketkeeping.
In Samson's absence, middle-order batter Riyan Parag was appointed captain.
After being cleared to play at the start of April, Samson made his comeback with the league game against the Kings on April 5. But his return was short-lived as only two matches later, the 30-year-old went down with an abdominal strain picked up during the match against the Delhi Capitals on April 16. Parag has since been the stand-in captain for the inaugural season champions, who have faced a lacklustre run in the tournament.
Unable to stitch together consistent performances and handle pressure during critical phases, the Royals have seen multiple close games slip out of their hands and suffered nine defeats in their twelve league games. Their one-run loss at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders before the week-long tournament halt summed up the Royals' journey – so near and yet so far.
First Published:
May 17, 2025, 16:58 IST
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