The Rajasthan Royals‘ dream run in the IPL 2024 season came to a crashing halt on Wednesday night. Not only did they suffer their first defeat of the season against the Gujarat Titans, but their skipper, Sanju Samson, was also fined Rs 12 lakh by BCCI for maintaining a slow over rate during the match.
Rajasthan Royals Fumble First Hurdle
The Royals, who had a strong start to the season, were outplayed by the Titans in a close encounter at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.
Despite valiant efforts from Riyan Parag (76 runs) and Sanju Samson himself (68 runs not out), the Royals’ total of 196/3 proved insufficient. Openers Shubman Gill (72 runs) for the Titans anchored their chase, with crucial cameos from Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan sealing the victory on the very last ball.
Sanju Samson Fined for Slow Over Rate
Adding salt to the wounds, skipper Sanju Samson was penalised for his team’s slow over rate during the match. This being the Royals’ first offense of the season regarding minimum over rate as per the IPL’s Code of Conduct, Samson received a hefty fine of Rs 12 lakh.
Sanju Samson milestone match overshadowed
This match marked a significant milestone for Sanju Samson, as it was his 50th match as captain of the Rajasthan Royals.
He became only the second player to achieve this feat for the franchise, following the legendary Shane Warne. However, the joy of this achievement was overshadowed by the team’s loss and Samson’s personal fine.
More news about Sanju Samson:
Looking Ahead for Rajasthan Royals
Despite the setback, the Rajasthan Royals have displayed promising potential in the ongoing IPL season. They will need to learn from their mistakes in the slow-over rate department and regroup for their upcoming matches.
While the first loss stings, the Royals still have a long way to go in the tournament, and their passionate fans will undoubtedly be cheering them on as they strive to bounce back stronger.
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