Right at the start of the match, we told you that Sanju Samson looks is at the top of his game currently and especially after his handy contribution in the first two games for the Rajasthan Royals. But, today the youngster was blazing guns against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. Samson came at a very crucial juncture where RR needed someone who would not throw away wickets by hitting wreckless shots and their go-to man was none other than the 23-year-old Sanju Samson. You can watch the video highlights of the match here.

The youngster walked in after Rajasthan Royals lost Ajinkya Rahane on 49 who attempted to give a good start to the team. D Arcy Short came into bat then and soon was on his way to the pavilion after 4 runs to the total. Ben Stokes stayed on with the youngster for another 49 runs but soon succumbed to a delivery by Yuzvendra Chahal in the 12th over. Jos Butler and Sanju Samson built set the Chinnaswamy Stadium ablaze with the 73 run partnership. Something that RR was looking forward to.

But Buttler too walked back after scoring 23 while attempting to hit a big shot. Sanju Samson looked unperturbed with the wickets falling and kept hammering towing 6s. His last partnership with Rahul Tripathi garnered 42 runs for the team. Sanju’s innings comprised 10 sixes and 2 4s and ended the innings with 92 off 45 balls. RR posted 217 runs on the board.

Normally under such circumstances, any team would develop cold feet but RCB fought well despite losing Brendon McCullum right at the start of the game. Quinton de Kock and Virat Kohli were the ones who score maximum runs for the team with their 77 run long partnership. However, Jaydev Unadkat sent de Kock packing for 26. The team was on 81 runs. No sooner the team reached 101, Virat Kohli got out on 57 in the 10th over and AB de Villiers too lasted on the field for a couple of overs. Mandeep Singh and Pawan Negi made 12 runs for the team. Ben Laughin got Negi’s wicket on 3, however, Mandeep and Washington Sundar made 56 runs but soon the latter was bowled by Ben Stokes. Chris Woakes and Mandeep Singh’s 16 run partnership could not make them reach the total and RCB lost by 19 runs.

Man of the Match Sanju Samson also went on to win the Orange Cap for IPL 2018. I'm grateful to play this tournament every two months of the year," says Man of the Match Sanju Samson. "I'm feeling good, hitting the ball well, but the tournament has just started. I want to win as many matches as I can on the field. I love doing what my team wants me to do, whether it's on the field or as a keeper. With this, team Rajasthan Royals is on number 3 of the IPL 2018 Points Table. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 15, 2018 08:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).