Mumbai :&nbsp;Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson lost his 10th toss of IPL 2022 when his Punjab Kings counterpart Mayank Agarwal said they would like to bat first.But Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer, with some help from Yuzvendra Chahal's three wickets, ensured that Rajasthan ended on the winning side, their first in a chase in IPL 2022 with the loss in the toss just left purely for academic interest.The start of the tournament hadn't been ideal for Jaiswal after being retained by Rajasthan ahead of the mega auction. Scores of 20, 1 and 4 in the first three matches meant Jaiswal had been benched in favour of another left-handed opener, Devdutt Padikkal.Now, after almost a month, Jaiswal was slotted into the eleven in place of Karun Nair with Padikkal pushed to middle-order.It helped that Jaiswal set the tone for Rajasthan's chase through cuts on the off-side and a glorious picked-up six off his pads over deep square-leg off Sandeep Sharma in the opening over.With Buttler tearing into Kagiso Rabada and falling to him eventually, Jaiswal would keep the scoring rate of Rajasthan up after taking another boundary off Sharma in power-play.But the standout boundary from his knock, laced with nine fours and two sixes, was a gorgeous inside-out lofted six over extra cover on a leg-stump ball from leg-spinner Rahul Chahar that easily cleared the long off-side boundary, which saw him get 48 runs from that area."I think the one I hit Rahul Chahar over the covers. I just tried to keep it simple -- good cricketing shots," were Jaiswal's words after the match.Another boundary of Jaiswal which showed his witty play was playing a silken late cut to a yorker outside off from Sharma to run it in the gap between wicket-keeper and short third man.From being 22 off 14 balls in power-play, Jaiswal opened up after the fielding restrictions were lifted to get 46 runs off just 27 balls. It also helped that Jaiswal was able to face much of the bowlers who weren't Kagiso Rabada or Arshdeep Singh.Though Jaiswal fell to Arshdeep eventually, Hetmyer, who has made a name for himself as a designated finisher for Rajasthan, stepped up to ensure that Rajasthan didn't lose their way, something which happened to Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians on Friday.With Padikkal struggling to get going and 47 runs needed off the last five overs, Hetmyer clipped Rabada through fine leg and cracked successive boundaries in the arc between mid-wicket and long-on.Hetmyer and Padikkal took four and six respectively off Rabada to make the equation really easy for Rajasthan. Arshdeep nailed his yorkers in a top-class 19th over and got Padikkal out with a low full toss chipped to cover.Hetmyer dispatched Chahar for a six over wide long-on and finished off the chase with a single in the same region to seal Rajasthan's first win of the tournament in a chase.But the match will be remembered for Jaiswal, who dedicated the knock to Rajasthan's director of cricket Zubin Bharucha for helping and motivating him in the time he was out of the eleven."I want to dedicate this innings to Zubin sir. He has helped me a lot during all the times, whenever I was sitting with him, when I was down."He has been pushing me always. It's been a pleasure to perform like this. He has motivated me a lot, pushing me everyday like 'you can do it, you'll do it, just keep working hard.' I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, I'll try my best."Rajasthan will be hoping that Jaiswal and Hetmyer would be at their best when the playoffs come, to turn the tide in their favour—IANS&nbsp;

 Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson lost his 10th toss of IPL 2022 when his Punjab Kings counterpart Mayank Agarwal said they would like to bat first.

IPL Turning Point: Jaiswal, Hetmyer turn the tide in Rajasthan's favour against Punjab

Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara hailed Sanju Samson's contribution after the team sealed a berth in the final of IPL 2022, saying the Kerala man has performed the triple roles of wicketkeeping, captaincy and batting with aplomb. Rajasthan Royals easily beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 on Friday to reach their first IPL final since the inaugural edition in 2008 and have a shot at a second title."Sanju has been exceptional. He started off with quite a tough test last season with a young side and lot of upheaval because of COVID bubbles, tournament of two halves, but he has really grown into his role," said Sangakkara, at the post-match press conference. "He is very soft-spoken, very reserved individual. He is exceptionally skilled with the bat. He has shown a lot of passion and hunger to taking on this testing role of captaincy. Wicketkeeping, captaining and being the best batter in your side along with Jos Buttler is not an easy kind of role to fill, but he has done it really well this season," he added.The legendary Sri Lankan feels Samson has grown in maturity."He has become more and more aware of what his role is. His tactical awareness has improved right throughout. He has really trusted his team. The team really looks up to him as a leader."Englishman Jos Buttler has been phenomenal with the bat for the Royals and is the leading scorer in the tournament with 824 runs from 16 games, with four centuries and as many fifties.Sangakkara says he has never seen anyone bat with such authority in the history of the IPL as Buttler did in the ongoing season."It's hard to describe what he (Buttler) has done for us this season in terms of T20 batting. He started off well, he had a little bit of a flutter at one point in the tournament but then he just calmed himself down, had a lot of good conversations rather than just training," he said."He accepted that he is mortal, he is a human and can't be at that high level of excellence every single day. He can accelerate at any point, he has got all the strokes. He understands the game really well. I can't remember anyone batting this well in the history of the IPL."Sangakkara said having a core group of nine players made his job easy."That's an advantage of having an experienced side. We have a core group of nine players with exceptional experience and skill and around them we have young guys and some very senior players in the bench. What I have to do as a coach is very little. It is just about being responsible of what has happened, owning it as a unit.”Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Director of Cricket Mike Hesson said not being able to accelerate in the last five overs cost them dearly."123 for 3 with five overs to go, we were very much in a position to get 175-180 with (Glenn) Maxwell set along with (Rajat) Patidar. We obviously lost those two wickets and then in the last three overs Obed McCoy and (Prasidh) Krishna bowled nicely. We struggled to get any momentum. We were probably 20 short," he said."Our death run score throughout the season has been exceptional; it's probably the top end where we didn't get the momentum. Other than today we pretty much nailed the last five overs in most innings."By his own standard Virat Kohli has endured a forgettable IPL, scoring just 341 runs in 16 innings, averaging 22.73, but Hesson said the former RCB skipper got better as the tournament progressed.Hesson also backed Mohammed Siraj, who took just nine wickets in 15 games, to comeback strongly. "Siraj is a fine bowler. He didn't have the best tournament but he will come back strong. Maxwell had a good all-round season with bat and ball. Virat got better and better as the season went on. He looked in good touch in the last 4-5 innings."—PTI

Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara hailed Sanju Samson's contribution after the team sealed a berth in the final of IPL 2022, saying the Kerala man has performed the triple roles of wicketkeeping, captaincy and batting with aplomb.

Sangakkara salutes Samson, Buttler as Royals make IPL final

Dublin: Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored India’s innings with a fine fifty while Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh dished out impactful knocks in carrying India to a competitive 185-5, which set the base for them to beat Ireland by 33 runs in the second T20I at Malahide on Sunday and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series.
Opener Andy Balbirnie was the lone ranger for Ireland with his 72 off 51 balls, but it went in vain as India’s bowlers, led by a superb Jasprit Bumrah, kept Ireland to 152-8. Prasidh Krishna launched a double-strike in his first over of the powerplay, as well as Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh being amongst the wickets on a sunny day at Malahide.
For India, Gaikwad made 58 off 43 balls and shared a crucial 71-run partnership with Samson, who made a quick-fire 26-ball 40. Though it appeared that India was losing some momentum in the back-end of the innings, Rinku found his groove in a late burst to make 38 off 21 balls and with Shivam Dube being 22 not out, the duo hit 42 runs in last 12 balls to take India past 180.
Pushed into batting first, runs began to flow for India from the second over with Gaikwad clipping Josh Little for four. Yashasvi Jaiswal swivelled twice off the backfoot to take a four and six off the left-arm pacer. When Barry McCarthy gave width, Jaiswal was quick to cut him past short third man for four more.
Jaiswal pulled again off Craig Young, but this time, it brought his downfall as deep mid-wicket took the catch to his left. In the next over, Tilak Varma went for the pull off McCarthy, but the top-edge was caught by deep square leg.
Gaikwad led the rebuilding act for India with three glorious pulled fours off the backfoot in the arc between long-on and deep square leg. From the other end, Samson found timing and placement right in his five boundaries off the fast-bowlers, including three on the trot off Little.
The sold-out crowd at Malahide cheered at its loudest when Samson hammered a listless Little for a pulled six behind square leg in an 18-run 11th over. His 26-ball blitzkrieg ended in the 13th over when he chopped on his stumps in a bid to go big against a short and wide ball from leg-spinner Ben White.
Gaikwad went on to get his fifty with a sweep past deep square leg for four off White and followed it up with a thumping six over long-on in the same over. His 43-ball stay at the crease came to an end when miscued a slower ball off McCarthy to long-off in the 16th over.
Rinku, batting in T20Is for the first time, got going with a brace of fours, before carting McCarthy for sixes over long-on and extra cover. Dube joined the six-hitting party in the final over with a flick over fine leg and swing over mid-wicket. Rinku hit third six of the over with a nonchalant pull over deep mid-wicket, before holing out on the very next ball, as India crossed 180-mark.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ireland’s chase began with Balbirnie taking a brace of boundaries off Arshdeep in the second over. But Krishna pushed Ireland on the backfoot in the next over – taking out Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker with short balls. Bishnoi dealt Ireland another blow in the power-play by castling Harry Tector.
But Balbirnie continued to march forward and resurrect Ireland’s chase. He began with a brace of slog-sweeps for fours off Washington Sundar just after power-play ended. Though Curtis Campher fell after reverse-paddling to point off Bishnoi, Balbirnie smacked Dube for a brace of sixes and slog-swept Bishnoi for four to reach his fifty.
Despite this, Ireland’s required run-rate continued to soar, though Balbirnie and George Dockrell took a six each off Krishna and Bishnoi. India’s upper hand strengthened when Dockrell was run-out by Bishnoi while Balbirnie had a faint edge caught behind by Samson off Arshdeep.
Bumrah returned in the back-end of the innings to take out McCarthy and a rampaging Mark Adair, who hit three sixes off Arshdeep and Prasidh. The Indian skipper didn’t concede any boundary in his four overs, one of which was a maiden coming off in the last over of the game, as the visitors’ have now won the series with a match left.
Brief Scores: India 185-5 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 58, Sanju Samson 40; Barry McCarthy 2-36, Craig Young 1-29) beat Ireland 152-8 in 20 overs (Andy Balbirnie 72; Jasprit Bumrah 2-15, Prasidh Krishna 2-29) by 33 runs
—IANS

 Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored India’s innings with a fine fifty while Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh

2nd T20I: Gaikwad, Samson, Rinku star as India beat Ireland by 33 runs, take unassailable lead in the series 

Dublin: Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored India’s innings with a fine fifty while Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh dished out impactful knocks in carrying India to a competitive 185-5, which set the base for them to beat Ireland by 33 runs in the second T20I at Malahide on Sunday and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series. Opener Andy Balbirnie was the lone ranger for Ireland with his 72 off 51 balls, but it went in vain as India’s bowlers, led by a superb Jasprit Bumrah, kept Ireland to 152-8. Prasidh Krishna launched a double-strike in his first over of the powerplay, as well as Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh being amongst the wickets on a sunny day at Malahide. For India, Gaikwad made 58 off 43 balls and shared a crucial 71-run partnership with Samson, who made a quick-fire 26-ball 40. Though it appeared that India was losing some momentum in the back-end of the innings, Rinku found his groove in a late burst to make 38 off 21 balls and with Shivam Dube being 22 not out, the duo hit 42 runs in last 12 balls to take India past 180. Pushed into batting first, runs began to flow for India from the second over with Gaikwad clipping Josh Little for four. Yashasvi Jaiswal swivelled twice off the backfoot to take a four and six off the left-arm pacer. When Barry McCarthy gave width, Jaiswal was quick to cut him past short third man for four more. Jaiswal pulled again off Craig Young, but this time, it brought his downfall as deep mid-wicket took the catch to his left. In the next over, Tilak Varma went for the pull off McCarthy, but the top-edge was caught by deep square leg. Gaikwad led the rebuilding act for India with three glorious pulled fours off the backfoot in the arc between long-on and deep square leg. From the other end, Samson found timing and placement right in his five boundaries off the fast-bowlers, including three on the trot off Little. The sold-out crowd at Malahide cheered at its loudest when Samson hammered a listless Little for a pulled six behind square leg in an 18-run 11th over. His 26-ball blitzkrieg ended in the 13th over when he chopped on his stumps in a bid to go big against a short and wide ball from leg-spinner Ben White. Gaikwad went on to get his fifty with a sweep past deep square leg for four off White and followed it up with a thumping six over long-on in the same over. His 43-ball stay at the crease came to an end when miscued a slower ball off McCarthy to long-off in the 16th over. Rinku, batting in T20Is for the first time, got going with a brace of fours, before carting McCarthy for sixes over long-on and extra cover. Dube joined the six-hitting party in the final over with a flick over fine leg and swing over mid-wicket. Rinku hit third six of the over with a nonchalant pull over deep mid-wicket, before holing out on the very next ball, as India crossed 180-mark.  Ireland’s chase began with Balbirnie taking a brace of boundaries off Arshdeep in the second over. But Krishna pushed Ireland on the backfoot in the next over – taking out Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker with short balls. Bishnoi dealt Ireland another blow in the power-play by castling Harry Tector. But Balbirnie continued to march forward and resurrect Ireland’s chase. He began with a brace of slog-sweeps for fours off Washington Sundar just after power-play ended. Though Curtis Campher fell after reverse-paddling to point off Bishnoi, Balbirnie smacked Dube for a brace of sixes and slog-swept Bishnoi for four to reach his fifty. Despite this, Ireland’s required run-rate continued to soar, though Balbirnie and George Dockrell took a six each off Krishna and Bishnoi. India’s upper hand strengthened when Dockrell was run-out by Bishnoi while Balbirnie had a faint edge caught behind by Samson off Arshdeep. Bumrah returned in the back-end of the innings to take out McCarthy and a rampaging Mark Adair, who hit three sixes off Arshdeep and Prasidh. The Indian skipper didn’t concede any boundary in his four overs, one of which was a maiden coming off in the last over of the game, as the visitors’ have now won the series with a match left. Brief Scores: India 185-5 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 58, Sanju Samson 40; Barry McCarthy 2-36, Craig Young 1-29) beat Ireland 152-8 in 20 overs (Andy Balbirnie 72; Jasprit Bumrah 2-15, Prasidh Krishna 2-29) by 33 runs.—IANS

Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored India’s innings with a fine fifty while Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh 

2nd T20I: Gaikwad, Samson, Rinku Star As India Beat Ireland By 33 Runs, Take Unassailable Lead In The Series

New Delhi: Right-handed batter K.L. Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, happening from August 30 to September 17, after recovering in time from a right thigh and back injury respectively. In a press conference held in New Delhi on Monday, India's chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced the 17-member Asia Cup squad, handing young middle-order left-handed batter Tilak Varma a maiden ODI call-up. Varma has so far been capped in T20Is but is yet to make his ODI debut.  Rahul has been out of action since injuring his right thigh during his team Lucknow Super Giants' match in IPL 2023 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 1, when he was chasing the ball to stop a boundary in the second over. It was later revealed on May 5 that Rahul has suffered a significant tear to a tendon in the right thigh and underwent surgery. After that, Rahul has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to recover from the injury. On the other hand, Iyer was pulled out mid-way from India’s fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia at Ahmedabad after suffering a recurrence of a lower back injury. That injury had earlier ruled Iyer out of the white-ball series against New Zealand at home as well as the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Nagpur. Iyer then underwent lower back surgery in May and has been rehabilitating at the NCA too. In July, the BCCI issued a medical update statement, saying Iyer and Rahul have returned to batting in the nets and upping their fitness drills. Agarkar stated that while Iyer was passed fully fit by the NCA, there, however, is a question mark over Rahul due to a niggle, due to which Sanju Samson is added as a reserve player. "Both are coming off long-term serious injuries. Shreyas has been declared completely fit. Rahul, not his original injury but there's a niggle, which is why Sanju is travelling. We'll get a report from the physio at some stage but we all expect him to be fit. If not at the start, by the second or third game, but he's on track. Shreyas has been passed fit, which is good news for us," said Agarkar. Talking of Varma’s selection, who has been impressive in T20Is since his debut against the West Indies and averages 56.18 with five centuries and as many fifties in 25 List-A games, Agarkar said, "In West Indies, we saw some real promise in terms of not just performances but the temperament. And it gives us an opportunity to take him with the team, give him some more exposure; a left-hander again looks very promising." "So fortunately we can take 17 here, it'll be 15 at the World Cup. So when the time comes we'll take that decision, but at the moment it at least gives the coach and captain an opportunity to have him with the squad." The squad also includes fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, who made their international comebacks during the ongoing T20I series in Ireland after recovering from back surgeries.  Mohammed Shami makes a comeback after being rested for the entire tour of West Indies, while Mohammed Siraj and allrounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur complete the fast-bowling attack. In the spin department, leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been dropped, with Kuldeep Yadav preferred as the wrist-spinner along with left-arm spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. India will open their 2023 Asia Cup campaign against Pakistan on September 2, before playing Nepal on September 4. Both of India’s Group A matches will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The top two sides from Groups A and B will progress to the Super Fours, where they will play three more games at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which will also host the final on September 17. The Asia Cup-bound players will assemble at the NCA in Bengaluru for a camp happening from August 24-29 before flying to Sri Lanka for the continental event. After the conclusion of the six-team tournament, India will play three ODIs at home against Australia from September 22-27, before opening their World Cup campaign, co-incidentally against Australia, on October 8 in Chennai. The deadline to submit a 15-member squad for the World Cup is September 5.  "We've picked these 18 guys. It'll be in and around these guys (for the Men’s ODI World Cup squad). A few important guys are coming back from injury, hopefully, all goes well with them. They have a few games now at the Asia Cup. There's a short camp in Bengaluru (at the NCA), followed by a couple of games before we announce the World Cup squad, but it's quite obvious it'll be around these guys," concluded Agarkar. India’s squad for Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna Reserve player: Sanju Samson—IANS

 Right-handed batter K.L. Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup

Kl Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, And Tilak Varma Make It To India’s Asia Cup Squad; Sanju Samson Named As Reserve Player

Paarl [South Africa]: Maiden ODI century by wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and half-century by Tilak Varma helped India post a competitive 296/8 in the third ODI against South Africa at Paarl on Thursday. Put to bat first by Proteas, India was off to a decent start. Debutant Rajat Patidar opened the batting with Sai Sudharsan. Patidar targetted pacers Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams, particularly Williams.
However, Patidar's innings was short as he was clean bowled by Nandre Burger for 22 off 16 balls, with three fours and a six. India was 34/1 in 4.4 overs.  Sudharshan could not continue with his form, as he was trapped leg-before wicket by Beuran Hendricks for just 10. India was 49/2 in 7.3 overs. India reached the 50-run mark in 7.5 overs. At the end of the first powerplay, India was 59/2 in 10 overs. The duo of Sanju Samson, promoted up the order and skipper KL Rahul took India to the 100-run mark in 18.3 overs, bringing some stability. The 52-run partnership between Sanju and KL was ended as Wiaan Mulder removed him for 21 off 35 balls, with two fours. He was caught behind by Heinrich Klaasen. India was 101/3 in 18.5 overs. Sanju was joined by Tilak Varma at the crease. Samson reached his fourth ODI fifty in 66 balls, with four boundaries to his name. In the face of falling wickets, Sanju played a measured knock instead of opting for a more attacking approach.
Tilak on the hand was struggling to time the ball and changed gears late. India crossed the 150-run mark in 33.1 overs. Tilak removed some pressure from himself in the 39th over, smashing Lizaad for a six and a four. Another six was on a no-ball. India reached the 200-run mark in 39.2 overs. After smashing Burger for a boundary, Tilak reached his maiden ODI fifty in 75 balls, with five fours and a six. But he was dismissed by spinner Keshav Maharaj for 52 off 77 balls. India was 217/4 in 41.2 overs. Samson reached his maiden century in 110 balls, with six fours and two sixes.  Williams finally ended Samson's knock, as he was caught by Reeza Hendricks at extra cover for 108 in 114 balls, with six fours and three sixes. India was 246/5 in 46.2 overs. India crossed the 250-run mark in 46.1 overs. Beuran managed to stop India's momentum despite Rinku's fearless cricket from the other end, removing Axar Patel (1) and Washington Sundar (14). India was 277/7 in 48.5 overs. Rinku started the final over by launching Burger for a four and six but was caught by Reeza for 38 off 27 balls, with three fours and two sixes. India ended their innings at 296/8 in 50 overs, with Arshdeep (7*) and Avesh Khan (1*) unbeaten. Beuran (3/63) and Burger (2/64) were the top bowlers for South Africa. Lizaad, Wiaan and Maharaj got a wicket each.
—ANI

Maiden ODI century by wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and half-century by Tilak Varma helped India post a competitive 296/8

Samson's maiden ODI ton helps India post 296/8 against South Africa in 3rd ODI

Paarl [South Africa]: Sanju Samson's wonderfully paced ton and Rinku Singh's powerful cameo followed by Arshdeep Singh's blistering spell helped India clinch a three-match ODI series against South Africa, registering a 78 runs win over Proteas in the third match here at Boland Park on Thursday. Tony de Zorzi scored the highest for South Africa with 81 off 87 while captain Aiden Markram played a knock of 36 runs. For India Arshdeep Singh was the main destructor, as he bagged 4 wickets conceding just 30 runs while Washington Sundar returned with a figure of 2-38.
After India's commanding victory in the series-opener, Proteas turned the tables around and registered an 8-wicket win in the second ODI at Gqeberha, however, Men in Blue made a stunning comeback in the series decider to win the third and final ODI by 78 runs. This is the second time India defeated Proteas at their home in a bilateral series before this Men in Blue registered a 5-1 series victory over South Africa in 2018. With this win, KL Rahul became only the second Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa after Virat Kohli (2018). Chasing a target of 297, South Africa got off to a flying start as openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi slammed India bowlers all around the ground. The opening duo stitched up 50 runs partnership before Arshdeep Singh stuck in the 9th over and bagged the wicket of well-set batter Reeza Hendricks 19 off 24 deliveries.
The right-handed batter Rassie van der Dussen then came out to bat however his stay was cut short by Axar Patel. Rassie went back to the pavilion after scoring just 2 runs. Captain Aiden Markram then came out to bat and helped a well-set opener slamming Indian bowlers all around the ground. Tony and Markram took their team's total past 100 runs in the 21st over. Washington Sundar Washington got the much-needed breakthrough as South Africa captain Markram was caught behind by KL Rahul. Arshdeep removed dangerous batter Tony de Zorzi, giving India hope for victory after South Africa racked up 161/4 in 29.4 overs. Tony went back to the pavilion after playing a stunning knock of 81 off 87 balls. Sai Sudharsan took a stunning flying catch off Avesh Khan to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen for 21.
David Miller and Keshav Maharaj then tried to handle the charge. Mukesh Kumar in the 38th over removed Miller for 10 runs. Arshdeep then struck again to claim his fourth wicket of the match as he removed Lizaad Williams for 2, leaving SA tottering at 216/9 in 44.1 overs. South Africa batters flattered against Indian bowlers handing Men in Blue a 78 runs victory.  Earlier, a maiden ODI century by wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and a half-century by Tilak Varma helped India post a competitive 296/8 in the third ODI against South Africa at Paarl on Thursday. Put to bat first by Proteas, India was off to a decent start. Debutant Rajat Patidar opened the batting with Sai Sudharsan. Patidar targetted pacers Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams, particularly Williams. However, Patidar's innings was short as he was clean bowled by Nandre Burger for 22 off 16 balls, with three fours and a six. India was 34/1 in 4.4 overs. Sudharshan could not continue with his form, as he was trapped leg-before wicket by Beuran Hendricks for just 10. India was 49/2 in 7.3 overs. India reached the 50-run mark in 7.5 overs. At the end of the first powerplay, India was 59/2 in 10 overs. The duo of Sanju Samson promoted up the order and skipper KL Rahul took India to the 100-run mark in 18.3 overs, bringing some stability.
The 52-run partnership between Sanju and KL was ended as Wiaan Mulder removed him for 21 off 35 balls, with two fours. He was caught behind by Heinrich Klaasen. India was 101/3 in 18.5 overs. Sanju was joined by Tilak Varma at the crease. Samson reached his fourth ODI fifty in 66 balls, with four boundaries to his name. In the face of falling wickets, Sanju played a measured knock instead of opting for a more attacking approach. Tilak on the hand was struggling to time the ball and changed gears late. India crossed the 150-run mark in 33.1 overs. Tilak removed some pressure from himself in the 39th over, smashing Lizaad for a six and a four. Another six was on a no-ball. India reached the 200-run mark in 39.2 overs. After smashing Burger for a boundary, Tilak reached his maiden ODI fifty in 75 balls, with five fours and a six. But he was dismissed by spinner Keshav Maharaj for 52 off 77 balls. India was 217/4 in 41.2 overs. Samson reached his maiden century in 110 balls, with six fours and two sixes. Williams finally ended Samson's knock, as he was caught by Reeza Hendricks at extra cover for 108 in 114 balls, with six fours and three sixes. India was 246/5 in 46.2 overs. India crossed the 250-run mark in 46.1 overs. Beuran managed to stop India's momentum despite Rinku's fearless cricket from the other end, removing Axar Patel (1) and Washington Sundar (14). India was 277/7 in 48.5 overs. Rinku started the final over by launching Burger for a four and six but was caught by Reeza for 38 off 27 balls, with three fours and two sixes. India ended their innings at 296/8 in 50 overs, with Arshdeep (7*) and Avesh Khan (1*) unbeaten.
Beuran (3/63) and Burger (2/64) were the top bowlers for South Africa. Lizaad, Wiaan and Maharaj got a wicket each. Brief score: India 296/8 (Sanju Samson 108, Tilak Varma 52; Beuran Hendricks 3-63) vs South Africa 218 (Tony de Zorzi 81, Aiden Markram 36; Arshdeep Singh 4-30).
—ANI

Sanju Samson's wonderfully paced ton and Rinku Singh's powerful cameo followed by Arshdeep Singh's blistering spell helped India

Samson, Arshdeep Singh shine as India clinch 2-1 ODI series victory against South Africa

In the 4th match of the 2024 Indian Premier League season, Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson decided to bat after winning the toss against the Lucknow Super Giants.
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Rajasthan Royals Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c &amp; wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal
Lucknow Super Giants Squad: KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur

Sanju Samson leads Rajasthan Royals to bat first in IPL 2024's electrifying opener against Lucknow Super Giants.

Rajasthan Royals win toss against LSG, opt to bat first 

Jaipur (Rajasthan): Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson's magnificent innings of 82 runs and his 93-run partnership with Riyan Parag guided his side to a total of 193 runs for the loss of four wickets against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Sunday. Samson won the toss and elected to bat first at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Both the openers, Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal started off the innings. The two batters were able to add just 13 runs when Buttler was sent back to the pavilion after scoring 11 runs off 9 balls with the help of two fours. Samson came into bat next and built a quickfire partnership of 36 runs from just 18 balls with Jaiswal before the opener was dismissed after scoring 24 runs which was laced with three boundaries and a maximum in his innings when the team score was 49 runs. RR scored their fifty on the first ball of the sixth over as the skipper took a single on the bowling of left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya.
Samson along with Riyan Parag built a partnership of 50 runs on the fourth ball of the 11th over as the former slammed a six on the bowling of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. With this hit, it brought the team's 100 runs as well.
The wicketkeeper-batter completed his half-century in the 13th over as he smashed a six on the bowling of Bishnoi. Parag was dismissed after scoring 43 runs in 29 balls which included three sixes and a four in his innings. The batter was dismissed by the right-arm seamer Naveen-ul-haq. He along with the Rajasthan franchise's skipper put on a partnership of 93 runs in 59 balls. The Royals touched the 150-mark on the first ball of the 17th over as Samson took a single on the bowling of Bishnoi.
Shimron Hetmyer was dismissed at the score of 150 after scoring just 5 runs. Then Dhruv Jurel joined the skipper. Samson built an unbeaten partnership of 43 runs with Dhruv Jurel who scored 20 runs in 12 balls with one four and six each. Samson scored 82* runs off 52 balls which was laced with six maximums and three fours in the innings. For LSG, the pick of the bowlers was Naven who snapped two wickets in his spell of four overs where he conceded 41 runs. One wicket each was grabbed by Mohsin Khan and Bishnoi in their respective spells.
 Brief Score: Rajasthan Royals 193/4 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 82*, Riyan Parag 43, Naveen-ul-haq 2/41) vs Lucknow Super Giants.
—ANI

IPL 2024: Sanju Samson's electrifying 82* powers Rajasthan Royals to 193/4 against LSG. A high-octane partnership with Riyan Parag highlights the match at Jaipur.

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