Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson’s decision to refuse a single off the penultimate delivery against Punjab Kings has sparked a debate on social media. Chasing an improbable 222, RR needed 13 runs off the final over bowled by Arshdeep Singh.
Samson could not score on the first ball before taking a single on the second. On the third ball, Chris Morris took another single before Samson hit a six to bring down the equation to 5 from the last two balls. But on the fifth ball of the over, he surprisingly decided against taking a single after hitting the ball towards deep extra-cover.
At first, Samson decided to go for the single but eventually changed his mind and sent Morris back to the non-striker’s end. The all-rounder was not at all impressed with Samson’s call and his reaction said it all. The decision to not take a single, however, backfired as the RR skipper could not hit a boundary on the final ball. He could only miscue the shot to Deepak Hooda at wide long-off.
The catch also ended Samson’s brilliant knock of 119 off just 63 balls. But more than his century, his decision to not take a single has become a talking point. While he has been receiving praise for his brilliant century, his decision of not taking the single is drawing mixed reactions.
Here are some of the reactions to Sanju Samson’s refusal for the single:
Not necessarily. It’s whether you think Samson is more likely to hit a 6 than Morris is to hit 4 or 6. The way Samson was hitting it I can see why he would have confidence in himself.
No wrong answer really https://t.co/shzLCGkxRZ
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) April 12, 2021
Sanju not taking single can be justified with the way he was playing & given that Morris was new at the crease. It was totally understandable. Happens in the game of cricket. Well played 👏 #RRvPBKS
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 12, 2021
Great run chase, but Samson’s brilliant one man show ends in agony. Should he have taken single off second last delivery? I think he should have trusted Morris who can olay shots too. Heartbreak for RR, Punjab will not be believing their luck
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 12, 2021
Greater possibility of Samson hitting a six in that form than new batsman in Morris hitting a four. Right call by Samson to keep strike last ball I thought.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 12, 2021