NEW DELHI: Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin commended the stellar performance of right-arm seamer Sandeep Sharma after Rajasthan Royals' triumphant start to their IPL 2024 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants.
Ashwin, reflecting on RR's victory fueled by Sanju Samson's explosive batting and Trent Boult's brilliance, emphasized Sandeep's significant role in securing the win at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Sandeep grabbed one wicket and conceded just 22 runs in his spell of three overs. He bowled exceptionally well in the death overs. Ashwin praised Sandeep's impactful bowling contribution in the crucial phases of the game.
Ashwin highlighted the bowler's consistent contributions and fighting spirit. "Sandeep has been a top-5 bowler in the IPL," he affirmed. "He's a character, does the dirty work for us... I see him as a fighter."
Discussing the formidable partnership between Samson and Riyan Parag, Ashwin acknowledged their pivotal role in RR's batting onslaught. "Sanju and Riyan batted really well," he noted. "But I felt we were 10 runs short, with so many impact players coming up in the form of Hetmyer and Jurel."
Reflecting on the match dynamics and pitch conditions, Ashwin provided insights into his own performance and mindset. "I think it was a wicket of two halves," he observed. "I went for 12 off the first two balls... it needs a different mindset, having come from Test cricket. I'm in a good mental and physical space at the moment though."
1/9:Sanju Samson leads RR to 20-run win over LSG in IPL
AFP
2/9:Spidercam Incident
<p>The Rajasthan innings witnessed a nearly 10-minute halt in the first over due to a spidercam cable break, but Samson's heroics led them to victory.</p>AFP
3/9:Samson's Sixes
<p>Sanju Samson's six sixes were crucial on a variable pitch, where Lucknow bowlers struggled, except for Krunal Pandya.</p>AFP
4/9:Pooran-Rahul Partnership
<p>Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul's partnership of 85 runs for the fifth wicket kept Lucknow in the game.</p>AFP
5/9:KL Rahul's Effort
<p>KL Rahul's 58 off 44 balls was a valiant effort in Lucknow's chase, despite a slow start.</p>AFP
6/9:Lucknow's Chase
<p>Despite Nicholas Pooran's unbeaten 64, Lucknow Super Giants fell short, finishing at 173-6.</p>AFP
7/9:Early Strikes by Boult
<p>Trent Boult's early strikes disrupted Lucknow Super Giants' batting lineup, rattling them early on.</p>AFP
8/9:Captain's Heroics
<p>Captain Samson's unbeaten 82 off 52 balls was instrumental in Rajasthan Royals' total of 193-4.</p>AFP
9/9:RR vs LSG
<p>Sanju Samson led Rajasthan Royals to a 20-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL opening match.</p>AFP(With inputs from ANI)
