IPL 2022: I did not understand the batting order at all – Aakash Chopra after Sanju Samson bats at no.5 for RR

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra was surprised to note Rajasthan Royals’ batting order after they were beaten by Delhi Capitals by eight wickets at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on Wednesday.

RR could only manage 160 runs on the board after they were put in to bat by Rishabh Pant.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals promoted Ravichandran Ashwin at number three as a pinch-hitter after Jos Buttler was dismissed early. Ashwin played a good knock as he scored his maiden IPL fifty whereas Devdutt Padikkal also scored a decent knock of 48 runs off 30 balls.

However, it meant Sanju Samson, who is Rajasthan Royals’ best batter along with Jos Buttler had to bat at number five. Samson had to hit the ground running in the death overs and he was dismissed after scoring only six runs by Anrich Nortje. Furthermore, Riyan Parag and Rassie van der Dussen failed to add the finishing touches for RR.

Aakash Chopra said while talking on his YouTube Channel, “Rajasthan had to make a change and the change was exactly what we had discussed, that you bring in Rassie van der Dussen and they did that only. But I did not understand the batting order at all because who does like that?”

“Jos (Buttler) was dismissed, Chetan Sakariya got him out. There was some help from the pitch, there was something in it for the faster bowlers and he took the right advantage of that. After that, Yashasvi Jaiswal was trying, was fighting, but there were only 19 runs from 19 balls. Mitchell Marsh ended his troubles in the end.”

Meanwhile, former KKR player added that Ashwin started his knock as a pinch-hitter was he was able to hit the ground running but after the PowerPlay overs he became a pinch-anchor as it was not the easiest of pitches.

“Ravichandran Ashwin came as a pinch-hitter, he played as a pinch-hitter in the powerplay and then became a pinch-anchor because he was trying to play very slowly after that, maybe the pitch was tacky, the ball was not coming onto the bat. In the end, he just accelerated at the right time, a good knock.”

RR decided to hold Sanju Samson to number five and it was not the smartest of moves as he was dismissed after facing only four deliveries.

“Devdutt Padikkal scored 48 runs, they were important because they came in just 30 balls, actually Padikkal was good. But Sanju Samson came to bat at No. 5, you held back your good player. Paralysis by analysis, Rajasthan got stuck and because of that, only 160 were scored. Perhaps it could have been enough but it wasn’t to be.”

The Sanju Samson-led team will next face Lucknow Super Giants at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.