In the IPL 2023 match between GT and RR, Sanju Samson played an exceptional innings to counter the early damage caused by Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya during the powerplay. Despite losing Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal early, RR managed to recover as Samson scored a quickfire 60 runs off just 32 balls. He stitched together a 43-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal for the third wicket and followed it up with a blistering 59-run stand with Shimron Hetmyer for the fifth.
Hetmyer played a crucial role in keeping RR’s chase alive after Samson’s dismissal, remaining unbeaten on 56 runs off 26 balls. Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with a quickfire 10 runs off just two balls. In the end, Hetmyer hit a six off the second ball of the final over to seal the victory for RR.
Earlier, GT was restricted to 177/7, with David Miller’s late surge providing the much-needed impetus. Despite a strong start, GT lost momentum after the dismissal of Hardik Pandya, and Miller’s knock of 46 runs off 30 balls proved to be the difference between the two teams.
