Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson attributed his group’s maiden win in opposition to defending champions Gujarat Titans to its technique to rotate the bowlers, which helped the 2008 IPL champions to limit Hardik Pandya’s aspect to 177 right here on Sunday.
After retaining the Titans to a manageable complete, the Royals, regardless of getting a poor begin and large reverses in powerplay, had been in a position to eke out a memorable three-wicket victory on the Narendra Modi Stadium.
That is the Royals’ first win in opposition to the Titans as they’d misplaced all three matches in IPL 2022, together with the ultimate.
“I’m very pleased to be on the profitable aspect. I feel it was essential to rotate the bowlers. They had been going arduous at our spinners. After the timeout, they had been taking part in some high quality cricket photographs and we wanted to respect that however I’m very happy with our group for proscribing them to a 170-odd rating,” mentioned Samson.
The Royals’ gradual bowlers Adam Zampa and Raichandran Ashwin got here in for some harsh remedy from Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya within the seventh and eighth overs and well timed rotation of bowlers — bringing in Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal — curtailed the circulate of runs.
The skipper was all reward for West Indian Shimron Hetmyer whose unbeaten 26-ball 56 proved to be a match-winning innings.
“I don’t suppose he likes straightforward conditions. We don’t thoughts placing him in these conditions,” mentioned Samson.
‘Participant of the Match’ Hetmyer himself indicated he bore a grudge in opposition to the Titans who had crushed his aspect thrice final IPL season.
“I simply actually needed to win in opposition to these guys as a result of they beat us thrice final yr so it was a little bit of revenge actually. I simply follow it actually. It helps to follow with that mindset that you simply’re a few wicket down and also you want 100 runs with eight overs left.
“You simply attempt to program your thoughts that approach and thus far it’s working. I used to be fairly pleased to be trustworthy to be going through (a spinner for the ultimate over). I used to be simply centered on getting a double off the primary ball after which see what occurs after that,” he added.
Titans skipper Hardik Pandya conceded his group ought to have put some extra runs on the board.
“Quite a lot of matches left. We nonetheless must play lots of good cricket even when we had gained right now. I felt we had been quick some runs on the innings break. They bowled some good overs however we should always have gone more durable to place the sport (out of their attain) and get a 200 complete. After I was watching exterior, I did really feel we had been perhaps 10 runs quick,” he added.