IPL 2025: Sanju Samson throws away start, bat in PBKS vs RR clash

Sanju Samson's recklessness leads to dismissal and frustration in PBKS vs RR clash.

PBKS vs RR, IPL 2025: Sanju Samson was distraught after throwing away his good start on Saturday. Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain cut a frustrated figure following his dismissal against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. Back fully fit and leading the side, Samson looked set for a big score opening the batting. However, the Kerala superstar threw away his good start, giving the opponents a way back into the contest in the PBKS vs RR match.

Put into bat by Shreyas Iyer, Rajasthan Royals got off to a good start with Jaiswal and Samson playing sensible cricket. On a two-paced wicket, the duo put on 85 in the first 10 overs. The 30-year-old was the aggressor, striking at close to 150 while Jaiswal played the anchor.

Frustrated Sanju Samson throws away bat

Just when the Royals looked to accelerate, Sanju was dismissed with a reckless shot off Lockie Ferguson. Having driven the previous delivery for a boundary, Sanju tried to clear the field, only to find the fielder. The RR skipper was frustrated, throwing his bat away in disgust following his dismissal.

Sanju’s frustrations were understandable, given his patchy form in IPL 2025. The Kerala star could only play the first three games as an impact sub. He started the tournament with a fifty against Sunrisers, but could only manage 13 and 20 in his next two games.

Now back as captain, Sanju played responsibly before throwing it all away in Mullanpur. He has a reputation for being reckless and risky, and on a tricky surface, his side needed him to be in the middle.

Reckless & Risky

In the last game against CSK, Samson looked settled in a partnership with Nitish Rana. However, he tried to hit Noor Ahmad over the long off boundary, only to skew it to Rachin Ravindra.

Similarly against KKR, Sanju tried to give himself room against Vaibhav Arora, only to see his stumps go cartwheeling. Even in the match vs SRH, Sanju tried to up the ante with a pull shot, only to be deceived by a Harshal Patel slower delivery.

For Rajasthan Royals and Sanju Samson, their skipper needs to cull his recklessness. The 30-year-old’s risks have paid off in getting him the Indian team slot, but to keep him in the XI, the Kerala superstar has to play more responsibly.