'Earlier it was About 11 Players, Now it is About 15': RR Skipper Sanju Samson Opens up on Impact Player Dynamics After Win Over DC

Rajasthan Royals notched up a 12-run win over Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday to continue their winning start in IPL 2024.

Riyan Parag’s unbeaten 82-run knock helped RR put up a total of 186/5 before limiting DC to 173/5 in 20 overs as Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two scalps each.

RR skipper Sanju Samson was elated with the result and opened up on the impact player dilemma he was faced with during the game. The Jaipur-based unit were contemplating bringing in big-hitting Rovman Powell to close out their batting, but when Parag started smashing in the final overs, Samson decided to rather bring in Burger as the impact sub.

“It was a bit of a roller-coaster. The way we started the first 10 overs, OK, Rovman get ready you may have to bat today,” Samson said.

“But the way the batters took the responsibility it was fantastic,” the skipper said.

“Parag absolutely made the difference,” he said crediting the youngster.

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Samson went on to speak about how the impact player rule has altered the dynamic of the game.

“The game is changing and we all have to be flexible. It was earlier about 11 players, now it’s about 15 players,” Samson said.

Samso said he and head coach Kumar Sangakkara had lengthy discussions regarding the impact player on the day, but Parag’s swashbuckling innings made the decision easier.

“Sanga and I had 4-5 chats around the 13th-17th over. But what Riyan did in that 20th over made it easy,” the 29-year-old said.

Samson also had a dilemma over who to toss the ball to for the last over of the chase and the brilliant batter said that it was about gauging the mental zone the bowlers were in.

“It is all about gauging in which zone they are, you have to look at that and take the decision accordingly,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

Ultimately he opted to hand Sandeep Sharma the 19th over and Avesh Khan the final over and his decisions paid off.

“Sandy was calm and Avesh as well and I took that call,” he revealed.

Samson also tipped the promising Parag a breakthrough season this year.

“Riyan has been a big name for the last 3-4 years, everywhere I go, in Kerala, they ask me, when is he going to come good? Touchwood, this is the season. He has to keep his head down and has a lot to give to Indian cricket,” the skipper concluded.