Sanju Samson’s valiant 63-ball 119 went in vain as Rajasthan Royals (RR) fell 4 runs short in their opening fixture of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 against Punjab Kings (PBKS), in Mumbai, on 12 April.
Read more: IPL 2021: Orange Cap, Purple Cap, points table after Match 4 (RR vs PBKS)
Earlier, KL Rahul (91 off 50), Deepak Hooda (64 off 28), and Chris Gayle (40 in 28) helped Punjab to reach 221/6. In reply, RR unleashed the best out of them but failed to reach the target. Here is what they said on social media.
This one went down to the wire! Sanju goes for the big shot over cover, but doesn't get all of it. Taken. @PunjabKingsIPL win by 4 runs.#VIVOIPL #RRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/HklxqlAGY2
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 12, 2021
Rahul, the most consistent batsman in recent editions of the IPL, may usurp Suresh Raina’s moniker of Mr IPL soon, at least in views of Aakash Chopra and Sanjay Manjrekar.
K L Rahul…how long before we start calling him Mr. IPL? Makes the art of batting look so KLassssy. #IPL2021 #RRvsPBKS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 12, 2021
Loved the 91 but loved the strike rate even more! If K L Rahul bats at a strike rate of over 140, which he can easily, Punjab Kings will have a much better IPL than the last. #PunjabKings
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 12, 2021
Irfan Pathan advised others to draw inspiration from Hooda’s return to professional cricket after being banned for domestic cricket (for Baroda) a few months ago.
If you want to learn to never back down then read the story of Deepak Hooda’s past few months and watch him bat tonight. Well played buddy! #Fighter #mentallystrong
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 12, 2021
Chetan Sakariya’s journey to the IPL is nothing short of a fairytale. Like many others, Virender Sehwag reached out to his audience to reveal that.
Chetan Sakariya's brother died of suicide few months ago,his parents didn't tell him for 10 days as he was playing the SMA trophy. What cricket means to these young men,their families .IPL is a true measure of the Indian dream & some stories of extraordinary grit🙏🏼Great prospect pic.twitter.com/r0mISy9Asv
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 12, 2021
Although Samson was adjudged the Man of the Match for his valour, Yuvraj Singh and Sehwag would have delighted if the RR skipper managed to take his team past the finish line.
Samson !!! Beautiful to watch !!take them home boy @IamSanjuSamson super ton ! #IPL2021 #RRvsKXIP
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 12, 2021
Naam hi nahi Badla, Shayad kismat bhi badli. Good win for Punjab Kings. Sanju Samson was absolutely brilliant to hit his 3rd IPL century, but Deepak Hooda was top class. His innings was the difference. #RRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/O3cYTKCFvq
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 12, 2021
With the century against Punjab, Samson has now joined an elite club in IPL records, featuring Gayle, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson, AB de Villiers and David Warner.
Most 100s in IPL:
6 – Gayle
5 – Kohli
4 – Watson, Warner
3 – ABD, Samson #RRvPBKS #IPL2021— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 12, 2021