Sanju Samson: (On the batting performance) We usually go hard in the powerplay but that did not quite happen today. It will take some time to assess our display. That is the nature of T20 cricket, you have to go hard in the powerplay, knowing that the wicket will slow down. Today, it did not work out. Credit has to go out to the RCB bowlers and their teammates. Their energy was great and they really wanted to win this game.
(On the score) That could have gone to the wire, it could have been a tight match if we had a decent powerplay. I felt that was a par score on this wicket. (On the second half of the campaign) That is a great question actually. I was thinking about it and where it went wrong. Sorry, I do not have an answer for that. We all know the nature of the IPL. We know things can change in a couple of days. Funny, funny things happen at the end of the league stages.
We have to be strong, be professional and think about the game we are playing in Dharamsala. You have to keep your hopes high and try your best. (On trying to bat out the innings) There are a lot of different ways to look at it (in hindsight). The people out there might have thought the game was still in their hands and I think you cannot blame them the way they batted. We have to take responsibility as a team.
Faf du Plessis: (On the game) It was really good. We needed it, in terms of the NRR. It was a really difficult pitch when we batted first. Even in the powerplay, the ball was keeping low and we felt that 160 would be a good score. Those hits towards the end pushed us to a very good score. We have not quite managed to do it (finish off strongly) well.
If you get it, everyone’s shoulders are out, you are ready, so it is really important. That (setting the intensity high) is a non-negotiable for us. Everyone celebrating with real passion, that is very nice to see. (On the remaining games) Hopefully we can set it up for that last game against GT at the Chinnaswamy. Today was really good for the team and I am sure everyone will be extremely motivated for the next two matches.
Wayne Parnell, Player of the Match: I think credit goes to our batters. That last over really brought momentum to our side. We understood what was needed and to execute the way we did was really pleasing. All of our batters had the same message – take the pace of it and hit the stumps. To win by a big margin is also crucial for us. (On going around the wicket to Samson) It was a similar surface to back in Paarl. I was trying to bowl at the stumps and make the batters go across the line. It is a long tournament, niggles occur, it is about being switched on every single day.
Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Highlights today, Sunday 14-6-2023. 60th Match (D/N), Indian Premier League 2023, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
Toss: RCB chose to bat.
Rajasthan Royals team: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Joe Root, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, R Ashwin, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Sharma, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers Bangalore team: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Michael Bracewell, Wayne Parnell, Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj
Head to Head In T20’s: 26
Rajasthan Royals Won: 12
Royal Challengers Bangalore Won: 14
Form guide
(last five completed Matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals WLLLW
Royal Challengers Bangalore LLWLW
Match Timings: 10:00 AM GMT | 3:30 PM Local
Umpires – KN Ananthapadmanabhan, Navdeep Singh
TV Umpire – Rod Tucker
Match Referee – Narayanan Kutty
Reserve Umpire – Parashar Joshi
Match number – IPL 2023 – 60th Match
IPL Points Table
Du Plessis says the heat has played a role in his decision and reckons the pitch is dry. Wayne Parnell comes in for Josh Hazlewood, with Michael Bracewell also replacing Wanindu Hasaranga.
Samson says he would have batted first too. He reckons that they have maintained a relatively high standard of cricket throughout. Adam Zampa comes in for Trent Boult for RR.
