Sanju Samson Breaks Record for Most Fifty-Plus Scores in RR History

Sanju Samson Breaks Record for Most Fifty-Plus Scores in RR History

Sanju Samson Breaks Record for Most Fifty-Plus Scores in RR History

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain, Sanju Samson, extended his remarkable performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, surpassing English batsman Jos Buttler to claim the record for the most fifty-plus scores for the franchise in T20 cricket. Achieving this feat during his team’s IPL encounter against Gujarat Titans (GT) at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Samson crafted an unbeaten 68* off 38 deliveries, including seven boundaries and two sixes, at a brisk strike rate of 178.95.

This marks Samson’s 23rd fifty for Rajasthan Royals, with his overall tally of fifty-plus scores reaching 25 when factoring in his two centuries. In contrast, Buttler has amassed 24 fifty-plus scores for RR, comprising six centuries and 18 fifties. Across his IPL journey with Rajasthan, Sanju has accumulated 3,649 runs in 131 matches, boasting an average of 31.45 and a strike rate exceeding 139.86, alongside two centuries and 23 fifties.

In the ongoing IPL season, Sanju has exhibited exceptional form, amassing 246 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 82.00, with a striking rate of 157.69. Notably, he has recorded three fifties, with his highest score being 82. Currently, Samson ranks as the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament, trailing Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Virat Kohli, who leads with 316 runs in five matches at an average of 105.33 and a strike rate exceeding 146, featuring a century and three fifties, with his best being 113.

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Furthermore, Samson etched his name in IPL history by registering the highest score by a player in his 50th IPL match as captain, surpassing Gautam Gambhir’s previous record of 59 runs off 46 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against RCB in IPL 2013.

During the match, Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first. Despite early setbacks with the dismissals of Buttler and Jaiswal, RR recovered strongly, propelled by a commanding 130-run partnership for the third wicket between skipper Sanju Samson (68* off 38 balls) and Riyan Parag (76 off 48 balls), guiding RR to a formidable total of 196/3 in 20 overs. Consequently, Gujarat Titans required 197 runs to secure victory.

The playing XI for Gujarat Titans comprised Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, Abhinav Manohar, Matthew Wade (w), Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson, Noor Ahmad, and Mohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals fielded Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, and Yuzvendra Chahal.