Rajasthan Royals’ Fielding Follies Continue in IPL 2024
Rajasthan Royals’ fielding woes resurfaced in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Punjab Kings, with a comical collision between captain Sanju Samson and fast bowler Avesh Khan reminiscent of a similar incident in IPL 2023.
During the penultimate over of Punjab Kings’ first innings, Ashutosh Sharma’s miscued shot off Khan’s delivery led to a chaotic scramble for the catch. Samson and Khan collided in their pursuit, allowing Sharma to escape and score valuable runs.
Samson acknowledged the amusing nature of the recurring mishaps but stressed the importance of fielding. “We had a few funny instances from last year and this year. But I am really happy that everyone is eager to go and catch it,” he said.
However, Samson also highlighted the challenges of communication and noise in such situations. “It gets a bit tough actually – the stadium is full of noise and when people call, we are looking at the ball, we can’t see who is coming,” he explained.
Samson emphasized the importance of fielders maintaining focus and directed a message to his fast bowlers, suggesting that wicketkeepers like himself have an easier time catching such balls. “It’s a bit easier to catch with the gloves instead of hands,” he said.
Despite the occasional mishaps, Samson’s light-hearted yet firm approach underscores the Royals’ commitment to improving their fielding standards. The team’s positive spirit remains intact, even amidst the occasional on-field blunders.
