During an interaction with school students, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson found himself in a tricky spot when asked to choose between his IPL teammates, Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag, or himself. The query came just before Samson was set to lead his team in the IPL 2024’s second qualifier match, adding a layer of tension to his response. Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag have been pivotal players for the Rajasthan Royals in recent seasons.
Their performances have often been critical to the team’s success, making the question all the more delicate for Samson. He had to navigate this potentially divisive moment carefully, especially considering Buttler’s departure from the Royals camp and Parag’s recent standout performance. In the Eliminator match against RCB just two days prior, Parag had been instrumental in securing a 4-wicket victory by scoring a vital 36 off 26 balls during a challenging chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
On the same night, Samson had a less impactful outing, scoring only 17 off 13 balls. The context for Samson’s challenging moment was a promotional event organized by IPL’s official broadcaster, Star Sports. As part of their build-up to the IPL 2024, they were conducting visits to schools nationwide, bringing along cricket stars to inspire young fans. During one of these visits, Samson engaged in a lively Q&A session with the students. Amid the light-hearted banter, a student’s question put him on the spot: “Who do you think is the best player – Jos Buttler, you yourself, or Riyan Parag?”
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Samson, recognizing the diplomatic minefield before him, responded with humor and tact. He complimented the student’s cleverness for posing such a tricky question and then explained his dilemma. He noted that naming either Buttler or Parag could hurt the other’s feelings. To avoid any discord, Samson chose himself, saying, “If I say Jos, then Riyan will get angry, and if I say Riyan, then Jos will feel bad. Let me say Sanju Samson only.”
Analyzing the players’ performances in IPL 2024, it’s evident why the question was tough. Riyan Parag has had an outstanding season, ranking as the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament. He has accumulated 567 runs at a strike rate of 151.60, including four half-centuries, with a top score of 84*.
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Sanju Samson has also been impressive, standing sixth in the run-scorers list with 521 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 155, and recording five half-centuries, with a best score of 86. On the other hand, Jos Buttler, despite playing only 11 games before leaving for national duty, scored 359 runs at a strike rate of 140, including two centuries but no half-centuries.
Buttler’s absence in the latter part of the season was due to his commitment to England’s national team. He returned home to prepare for a four-match T20I series against Pakistan, which served as crucial preparation for England’s title defence at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
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This departure undoubtedly affected the Royals’ dynamics, making Parag’s and Samson’s contributions even more significant. Samson’s diplomatic answer, therefore, was not just a tactful move to avoid internal conflict but also a reflection of his leadership qualities, balancing praise and recognition among his key teammates while maintaining team harmony.
