Rajasthan Royals have already started their campaign with a win against the previous year’s runner-ups CSK by 16 runs on Tuesday. The side was without two of its premium players Jos Buttler and the all-rounder Ben Stokes in their opening game.
But now the franchise has confirmed that the England all-rounder will most likely join the squad in the first week of October. Stokes is currently in the Christchurch with his family after his father was detected of cancer. He had left for New Zealand midway during the Test series against Pakistan after playing in the first test.
The franchise said that Stokes could very well be a part of at least 13-14 games of the ongoing IPL 2020. Earlier, the side had also confirmed the availability of the wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler for the second match. Buttler didn’t play in the first match due to the quarantine protocols.
The rampaging partnership between Samson-Smith
However, Sanju Samson ensured the side of no batting wails due to the absence of the English duo. He went at the CSK bowlers hammer and tongs as he scored 74 runs off 32 balls. In his inning, he hit 9 sixes and one boundary at a strike rate of 231.3 to help the side win by 16 runs.
Samson praised the skipper Steve Smith after he batted alongside him and built a partnership of 121 runs for the third wicket.
“Absolute pleasure to bat with him. He is the world’s best batsman. When he goes out and bats 20 overs, it becomes easy for the others coming in.” Samson praised Smith.
He was adjudged the Player of the match for his charged innings and inflicting two catches from behind the stumps.
Stokes addition will only strengthen the Rajasthan Royals squad as they are already charged up this season with a motive.
Rajasthan Royals will next face Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah Cricket Ground on September 27.
