Sanju Samson Lauds Young Star Vaibhav Suryavanshi After Rajasthan Royals' Victory

In a thrilling match, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson praised 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his impressive 57 runs that led the team to a six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings. Samson highlighted Suryavanshi's maturity and strategic play during the chase. The Royals, despite missing key players, showcased a promising young bowling unit, particularly Akash Madhwal, who took crucial wickets. Reflecting on the season, Samson acknowledged the team's struggles and expressed optimism for the future as they aim to improve after finishing with four wins in IPL 2025.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 21, 2025, 11:34 IST

Samson's Praise for Suryavanshi

In a remarkable display of talent, Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson expressed his admiration for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played a pivotal role in their six-wicket triumph over Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday. Suryavanshi scored an impressive 57 runs off just 33 deliveries while chasing a target of 188, demonstrating remarkable composure to lead his team to victory in 17.1 overs.

Samson's Insights on Suryavanshi's Performance

“I don’t have words for him,” Samson remarked post-match. “During the middle overs, he was astute in selecting his shots. It’s a remarkable blend of potential and game awareness.”

The Royals initially contemplated batting first but ultimately decided to chase. The young batting lineup responded positively, with Yashasvi Jaiswal providing a dynamic start, while Suryavanshi's steady innings was crucial in stabilizing the chase. Samson noted that the decision to chase reflected a shift in the team's approach.

Strategic Shift in Team Mindset

“Honestly, we were considering setting a target, but I thought there’s no hiding in this game. Let’s go out and chase it to make a statement,” he explained.

Bowling Performance Highlights

Despite the absence of key players like Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma, the Royals' bowling unit shone, with Akash Madhwal taking three crucial wickets, including that of MS Dhoni, helping restrict CSK to 187/8. Samson acknowledged Madhwal's hard work behind the scenes.

“Madhwal hasn’t played many games, but he has been diligently working with Shane Bond on his bowling, and it’s paying off. I’m very pleased for him,” he stated.

Future Prospects for the Royals

The young bowling lineup managed to perform well under pressure, and Samson is optimistic about the franchise's future.

“We have a youthful bowling attack, and even without Jofra and Sandeep, there’s a lot of promise ahead,” he noted.

Reflecting on the Season

The Royals had several close calls throughout the season, often losing matches in the final moments. Samson reflected on the season's challenges, indicating that the team would analyze their performance.

“The margins for error are minimal, making it difficult to understand why we had such a disappointing season. We will take time to review our shortcomings and aim to return stronger,” he concluded.

With their victory over CSK, the Royals concluded their season with four wins out of 14 matches, likely finishing in the 9th position in IPL 2025.