Cricket fraternity divided over Sanju Samson’s refusal to take single off the penultimate ball against Punjab Kings

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.

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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.

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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