Shreyasi Talukdar
Sanju Samson, the newly chosen captain of Rajasthan Royals spoke about the leadership role he is going to take. In this chat with HT ahead of the 2021 IPL season, he also spoke about the role of Chris Morris in absence of Jofra Archer in the side.
Samson on Captaincy
Sanju Samson will be captaining an IPL team for the first time. He will be leading Rajasthan Royals team in 2021 IPL. Speaking on the same, he told, “I look at captaincy as more of a service to the team. A captain is someone who is there to provide the right kind of atmosphere that every individual requires in a team and backs each one of them. It’s a lot about man-management skills—giving positive feedback to your players, understanding where they are coming from. The fact that my team and the franchise trust me to do this job gives great confidence that there is something in me. I firmly believe that a captain is only good if the team is good.”
Samson who has the experience if leading Kerala side and also India side at Under 19 level said that his current team is like a family to him. “The Royals have a quality bunch of great players and amazing support staff backing them. I’ve known most of them for years; they are like family. So, I’m in a comfortable space with the people I have around me. I have been part of the Royals from my teen days in 2013. Playing for one team for this long to now becoming captain, it’s a proud moment.”
Archer’s Absence and Morris’ Presence
Jofra Archer, one of the key players will not be available for some part of this IPL following a surgery. He is recovering from the same and expected to be fine by first four matches of his IPL team, Rajasthan Royals. Archer who generally leads the pace attack of the Royals will be missed for sure. However, Chris Morris is a new member of the Royals who can come handy in the absence of Archer.
While asked about the same, Samson said, “I would not like to put him (Morris) under too much pressure or tell him that he’s the biggest member of this team. Everyone has a big role to play; even someone bowling one over might have a crucial role. But we’re excited to have Morris back. He’s a very happy-go-lucky person, someone who likes to keep the atmosphere light. But when he enters the ground, he is a completely different person—competitive and eager to win matches. It’s great to have an individual like that in the team.”
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