Sanju Samson has not been named in the playing XI for the Rajasthan Royals in their home game against Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday. As a result, Riyan Parag came out for the toss for the IPL 2008 champions. At the flip of the coin, LSG won the toss and decided to bat against RR.
Samson had picked up a side injury during RR’s previous fixture against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday.
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“Sanju experienced a bit of pain in the abdominal area,” head coach RR’s Rahul Dravid had said on the eve of the clash with LSG.
“So we have gone for scans. He has done some scans today so we are waiting the results of those scans. And then once we get a bit more clarity around the scans and the severity of [the injury] we’ll take a decision going forward and we’ll see what happens,” he added.
Samson had to leave the field hurt after scoring 31 off 19 balls against DC. He looked uncomfortable after trying to play a cut shot off Vipraj Nigam and held his left side near the ribs in visible discomfort. Although he faced one more delivery, he soon walked off the field. RR eventually tied the match but lost in the Super Over.
“It feels alright,” Samson told the broadcasters then. “I was just not ready to come back and bat here. We’ll observe it tomorrow and see how it is,” he added.
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Samson had started the IPL season with a thumb injury and only played as a batter in the first three matches. During that period, Parag captained the team and has the responsibility once again.
Samson had undergone finger surgery recently and was allowed to return as captain and wicketkeeper after getting clearance from the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. While he was out, Dhruv Jurel took up wicketkeeping duties.
Rajasthan Royals come into the contest in eighth position in the IPL points table with two wins out of season. Their opposition tonight, LSG, are fifth in the standings.
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