Laughter filled the air at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur during the toss for match number 24 of IPL 2024 between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. In a bizarre turn of events, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson fumbled while announcing his playing XI, leaving everyone momentarily confused.
Gujarat Titans Opt to Bowl First, Make Key Changes
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Titans, grappling with injuries to crucial players, announced a revised playing XI for the match. Star batsman David Miller and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha missed out due to injuries.
Speaking after the toss, Gill explained his decision, highlighting the threat of rain and the challenges of setting a target under such circumstances. He also acknowledged the team’s injury woes and the changes made to the batting order.
“Will bowl first. In case rain is in play, you want to chase things down. Not easy to set up a playing XI when your main players are injured. Couple of changes – Matthew Wade comes in for Kane Williamson. Manohar Tevar comes in for Sharath. In past couple of games we were in brilliant position. It’s just about finishing the crunch situations. Batting part is easy. When I’m batting I don’t think about captaincy. While captaining, you want to give players confidence,” Gill said.
Sanju Samson’s Playing XI Blunder Steals the Show
While Gill’s speech provided insights into the Titans’ strategy, all eyes turned to Sanju Samson as it was his turn to announce the Royals’ playing XI. However, in a moment of forgetfulness that left everyone chuckling, Samson seemed unsure about his own team’s lineup.
“Bit confused (about the playing XI). You can see it on the sheet,” stammered Samson, attempting to brush off the awkward situation with a hint of amusement. This unexpected fumble from the skipper added a touch of lightheartedness to the start of the match.
A Special Match for Sanju Samson
Despite the momentary lapse, the match holds immense significance for Sanju Samson. This encounter marks his 50th game as captain of the Rajasthan Royals, a remarkable milestone in his IPL career. The Royals will be hoping to bounce back from their recent slump and emerge victorious, while Samson will be keen to lead from the front and put his earlier forgetfulness behind him.
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