Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised right-arm seamer Sandeep Sharma following his sensible efficiency in opposition to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Sunday. Riding on Sanju Samson’s onslaught and Trent Boult’s brilliance, RR began their IPL 2024 marketing campaign with a win at residence as RR registered a 20-run victory in opposition to LSG on the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Sandeep grabbed one wicket and conceded simply 22 runs in his spell of three overs. He bowled exceptionally effectively within the demise overs at guided his aspect to a snug victory.

The 37-year-old cricketer spoke concerning the partnership between Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. Both the batters placed on a partnership of 93 runs in 59 balls. Where on one aspect, Samson performed an unbeaten knock of 82 runs off 52 balls which was laced with six maximums and three fourson the opposite hand Parag scored essential 43 runs in 29 balls which included three sixes and a 4 in his innings.

“I think it was a wicket of two halves, I thought it stuck in the pitch in the first half, it was a bit tacky, it depends on how much water you put on. Sanju and Riyan batted really well, but I felt we were 10 runs short, with so many impact players coming up in the form of Hetmyer and Jurel. But the pitch holds up well over here. I went for 12 off the first two balls, it needs a different mindset, having come from Test cricket. I’m in a good mental and physical space at the moment though. I went for 15 in the 1st over in the powerplay, I bowl 2 or 3 at times, I try to forget it away, it’s a different ball game after the powerplay,” Ashwin mentioned in a post-match interview.

The Chennai-born participant additional said that the right-arm pacer from South Africa carried out very well within the first sport of his IPL profession and he’s positive that he’ll carry out very well within the close to future.

“The game is built by perceptions, if you look at the way Sandy has bowled, he has been a top-5 bowler (in the IPL)- he’s a character, does the dirty work for us, did a lot to cover for Prasidh in the last season as well. I see him as a fighter – bowlers getting 2 bouncers is the only fillip in this format and the bowlers are looking to use it. Boult has performed for a long time and Nandre did well in his 1st game, I see him doing a lot more in the future,” the veteran off-spinner added.

Coming to the match, the hosts, the Rajasthan Royals received the toss and opted to bat first.

Openers Jos Buttler (11) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (24 in 12 balls, with three fours and a six) departed with out making a lot influence, lowering the group to 49/2. Following that, a 93-run partnership occurred between Riyan and skipper Sanju, who scored 82* in 52 balls, with three fours and 6 sixes. Dhruv Jurel (20* in 12 balls, with a 4 and 6) completed off effectively to take RR to 193/4 in 20 overs.

LSG was lowered to 11/3 within the chase of 194 runs. Then Deepak Hooda (26 in 13 balls, with two fours and two sixes) together with KL stabilised the innings a bit. Following Hooda’s dismissal, which left LSG at 60/4, KL stitched an 85-run stand with Nicholas Pooran (64 in 41 balls, with 4 boundaries and 4 sixes). But a win was not meant to be for LSG as RR made a comeback with well timed wickets, lowering LSG to 173/6 in 20 overs.

Trent Boult (2/35) was the decide of the bowlers for RR. Sandeep, Ashwin, Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal took a wicket every.

Samson was given the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his half-century.