IPL 2021 : Sanju Samson fined INR 12 lakh for slow over-rate

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has been handed a fine of INR 12 lakh due to the slow over-rate maintained by his bowling department during Tuesday’s encounter against the Punjab Kings.

This is the first over-rate offense committed by the Royals this season. The official statement read-

“Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 match against Punjab Kings at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai on September 21.’’

The statement further said, “As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Mr Samson was fined INR 12 lakh.’’ 

Samson may have been charged a fine but he would be a happy man given the manner in which his side snatched a win from the jaws of a certain defeat.

The Royals defended their total of 185 mainly due to a brilliant last couple of overs by Mustafizur Rahman and Kartik Tyagi.

Rajasthan’s Death Overs Masterclass

Defending 186, the Royals looked out of the game with Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram set at the crease at the end of the 18th over.

The equation was 8 runs off the last 12 deliveries but Mustafizur’s brilliant 19th over ensured that Kartik Tyagi still had something to defend in the final over.

Of course, Mustafizur got away with no-ball calls but his bowling was of top quality. The left-arm seamer gave away just 4 runs and Tyagi went one step ahead as the young seamer perfectly executed his yorkers at will to help the Royals script a two-run heist.

Tyagi gave just 1 run off his first two deliveries before turning on the heat by dismissing a dangerous-looking Pooran, who ended up edging a well-directed yorker to Samson.

The young seamer followed it up with the wicket of Deepak Hooda to reduce the target to 3 off the last ball, which is surely in the batsman’s favour.

Fabian Allen was at the crease to face the final delivery but it didn’t matter as Kartik nailed another yorker to seal the victory for the inaugural champions.

Courtesy of this thrilling victory, Rajasthan have boosted their chances of making it to the playoffs. They are currently in the 5th spot but on equal points (8) with the Mumbai Indians.

In their second fixture of the second phase, the Royals will face Delhi Capitals in Abu Dhabi on September 25.

Fun Fact: Kartik Tyagi and Mustafizur Rahman are the first ever pair of bowlers to defend under 10 runs in final two overs of an IPL match.