Sanju Samson responded to a team India snub by smashing 47 runs off 26 balls against the Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1 of IPL 2022. The Rajasthan Royals skipper helped his side post 79/2 in 10 overs, building a platform for a big finish. 

The winner of the Qualifier between Rajasthan and Gujarat will take the flight to Ahmedabad for the big final on May 29. 

Also read: From Sanju Samson to Rahul Tripathi: IPL 2022 stars who did not get the India call

Samson was left out of India’s T20I squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa, which begins on June 9. Unhappy fans and several experts showed their support for the Kerala-based batter on social media. 

“If Sanju Samson doesn’t go to Australia for the T20 Worldcup 2022 , it is India’s loss not his,” a social media user tweeted. 

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On Tuesday, Samson, himself, responded to the snub with five brilliant boundaries and three maximums. The 27-year-old’s knock was filled with exquisite strokes, including some back-foot slashes to short deliveries by GT’s Sai Kishore. 

“Brilliant from Sanju Samson. T20 cricket isn’t measured in usual landmarks like 50s. It is about the impact you make,” expert and commentator Harsha Bhogale tweeted. 

The Rajasthan Royals skipper has scored 421 runs in 15 games this season at an average of 30.07 and strike rate more than 150. 

Also read: Chahal pays tribute to ‘first Royal’ ahead of Qualifier 1 vs Gujarat Titans

He took over RR’s leadership in 2021, when the team finished seventh. Last year, Samson scored 484 runs in 14 games. He is now the highest run-scorer for the Royals. 

Teams:

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (capt), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph and Yash Dayal

Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (capt, wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal and Prasidh Krishna.