The 39th match of IPL 2022 is underway at the MCA Stadium in Pune right now, where inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals are battling three-time runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB won the toss and opted to field first. The Bangalore bowlers did an impressive job to keep RR down to 144/8. Wanindu Hasaranga picked up the crucial wickets of Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer.
Speaking of the match between RR and RCB first, the Rajasthan Royals got off to a slow start as they lost three wickets before crossing the 35-run mark. Captain Sanju Samson and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell then stabilized the innings with a 35-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Fans expected a big knock from Samson, but he lost his wicket to Wanindu Hasaranga for the fifth time in the shortest format of the sport. Hasaranga has bowled six times against Samson and picked up his wicket on five occasions.
Talking about the latest dismissal, Hasaranga set him up brilliantly by bowling a delivery outside off-stump. Sanju Samson tried for a reverse-sweep, but he failed to connect it. The next ball was pitched in the stump line, Samson went for the same shot, failed to connect again, but lost his stumps this time.
Mohammed Siraj also had a decent powerplay. He scalped two wickets and took a great catch to dismiss Jos Buttler. Speaking to host broadcasters after the first innings, Siraj said:
“I went searching for swing (on the first ball) but he hit a good shot. So, after that, I just backed myself to extract the most of the seam movement off this surface and it paid off today. Hazlewood’s line and length is brilliant and he gets extra bounce off the surface.”
Fans on Twitter react as Wanindu Hasaranga dismisses Sanju Samson again
Here’s how the cricket fans on Twitter reacted to Wanindu Hasaranga picking up the prized wicket on Samson again:
Hasaranga gets Samson and Hetmyer – game changer.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 26, 2022
Hasaranga gets Sanju Samson once again. A matchup works for RCB, Sanju goes for 27.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 26, 2022
OUT!
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 26, 2022
Hasaranga dismisses Samson for the FIFTH time in seven innings 😲
Rajasthan are in trouble in Pune!#IPL2022 #RCBvRR LIVE ▶️ https://t.co/FiNfg9cNpv pic.twitter.com/g1XpxSmBt1
Bowled em!👊
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 26, 2022
Samson misses Hasaranga's ball trying to play the reverse sweep, and loses his stumps.
RR: 68/4 (9.3)#RCBvRR #IPL2022
Hasaranga gets Samson yet again, the matchup worked #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/FtaEe5d7Fe
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) April 26, 2022
Samson vs Hasaranga (In T20s)
— Shivani Shukla 🏏 (@iShivani_Shukla) April 26, 2022
Inning: 6
Runs: 18
Out: 5
Strike Rate: 78
Hasaranga: Sanju Samson Specialist ✅#RCBvsRR
— Vinod Thakor (@VinodThakor444) April 26, 2022
