Rajasthan Royals struggled in IPL 2025, managing just three wins out of 13 matches to be placed ninth out of 10 teams.
Shastri drew a parallel between Samson and Rohit Sharma, highlighting the importance of Samson realising his full potential.
India beat Iraq 5-0, a step away from Women's Asian Cup qualification
Following RR's six run win at the Barsapara cricket stadium, a video surfaced online showing Parag tossing a phone back to security personnel after posing for a photo with them.
'He is so talented. He does well in one or two matches and then he does not do anything.'
'I can't point out one moment where we lost the game'
With just two wins from seven games, the Royals, languishing at eighth on the table, come into the contest on the back of a gut-wrenching Super Over defeat to Delhi Capitals.
Rajasthan Royals will face Mumbai Indians in a crucial Indian Premier League match on Thursday, looking to halt the five-time champions' surging momentum.
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has returned to the team after recovering from a finger surgery he underwent last month. .
A delighted Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill credited his team's strong start to the IPL season to a collective effort, with everyone chipping in.
Delhi Capitals looked like a well-oiled machine with four wins in a row before a stunning batting meltdown against Mumbai Indians halted their momentum.
With just two wins from eight outings, Rajasthan find themselves languishing in eighth place on the points table.
The mysterious omissions of the talented Samson led to banners in the Kerala cricketer's support at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar no less.
Punjab Kings will look to renew their bid for a play-off berth with another commanding performance in Jaipur on Sunday against Rajasthan Royals, who have failed to rise above mediocrity despite possessing the resources this season.
Dominic Xavier offers his take on #JusticeForSanjuSamson trending on Twitter afer the wicket-keeper batter was not picked for the T20I home series against New Zealand.
While Abhishek Sharma's explosive century stole the headlines, Samson's replacement by Dhruv Jurel raised questions about his availability.
'Delighted to hear from Sri Lanka that @IamSanjuSamson has recovered from his strained knee ligament and that Thiruvananthapuram's finest will again be available for India! All the best, Sanju!'
Captain Shreyas Iyer is pleased that Punjab Kings displayed the right mindset after being put under the pump by aggressive Rajasthan Royals top-order batters.
Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh struck half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar took three wickets as Punjab Kings outclassed Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs.
The BCCI sends the offenders and their teams an invoice describing the amount to be paid at the end of the season. It is then up to the team to decide whether they pay the fine or the player who it has been applied to bears the burden.
India skipper Rohit Sharma lauded Sanju Samson after the seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20 International, in Dharamsala, on Saturday, saying the talented batter showed how well he can play in the limited-overs' format.
Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli will brace for a fiery showdown against thunderbolts from express pacer Jofra Archer as Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru look to get back to winning ways in the IPL match in Jaipur on Sunday.
'Some bonds don't change with the franchise, they last a lifetime'.
Rajasthan choked in successive chases against Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants -- they needed nine from the final over in both matches and fell short on both occasions.
Delhi Capitals pulled off a thrilling win via the Super Over against Rajasthan Royals, courtesy a Mitchell Starc masterpiece.
The Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will hope their struggling bowling units can find their form on an Ahmedabad pitch that has produced high scores in the last four matches.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will aim to turn their fortunes around at home when they face a struggling Rajasthan Royals on Thursday in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Jitesh Sharma's presence in the 15-member squad for Ireland T20s puts Sanju Samson's place in the Indian team under scanner.
Sanju Samson fractures index finger, out of action for five to six weeks
Samson had new batting batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and throwdown specialists for company.
The Royals' pace coach threw his full support behind a resurgent Jofra Archer, praised the squad's fighting spirit, and made it clear - wearing the RR badge still means playing with pride, passion, and purpose.
On Thursday, opener Suryavanshi was out for a duck, while young Jaiswal too could not make an impact, scoring just 13 runs as RR were all out for 117 at their home ground, chasing Mumbai Indians' 217/2.
Suryakumar expressed excitement over Shami's return.
Phil Salt's explosive 33-ball 65 laid the foundation and Virat Kohli's 100th T20 fifty provided the finishing touch as RCB chased down what looked like a big target without much ado.
The spotlight was firmly on the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai as captains from all ten IPL franchises gathered for the official pre-season meet ahead of IPL 2025 on Thursday.
While the SRH batters turned the game into a six-hitting spectacle, it was a little figure in the stands who quietly stole hearts --Heinrich Klaasen's two-year-old daughter Laya.
Sanju Samson laments 'one-hit' defeat
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Riding high on their new-found confidence, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping to finally get it right at home and keep their play-off hopes alive when they take on a struggling Rajasthan Royals in their IPL match in Kolkata on Sunday.
273 runs to his name, he has surged to the second position in the Orange Cap race and also became the first Indian to cross the 200-run mark in IPL 2025.
