Sanju Samson Set to Return for Rajasthan Royals Against Punjab Kings

Samson's Comeback After Injury

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, has announced that he will be available for the upcoming match against Punjab Kings on Sunday, May 18, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

The wicketkeeper-batter has been sidelined for the last five matches due to an injury, with his last appearance being against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

In that match, he scored a quick 31 runs off 19 balls before having to retire due to injury. Unfortunately, RR lost that game in a Super Over despite having a strong position, leading to a series of disappointing results.

Mental Struggles During Recovery

The Royals have only secured one victory during Samson's absence and currently find themselves near the bottom of the points table. Ahead of his return, the captain expressed the mental challenges of watching his team struggle from the sidelines.

“I passed my fitness test, so I’m available for the game. Yeah, I think 'frustrating' is definitely the right word. It's been very difficult and challenging to watch the games from the dugout. I missed out on a lot of crucial matches, which made it even tougher. Mentally, it was hard to see the team losing and not be able to contribute on the field. But these things are part of a cricketing career. I'm trying to take it in my stride and focus on the positives,” Samson shared during the pre-match press conference.

Jofra Archer's Absence Due to Injury

While Samson's return brings some hope to the team, they will miss their key fast bowler Jofra Archer, who is out for the match against Punjab Kings due to a thumb injury. Archer sustained this injury during a narrow one-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this week.

The English pacer has been a standout performer for RR, taking 11 wickets in 12 matches, making his absence a significant blow to the team's bowling lineup as they aim to finish the season on a positive note.

With only three wins from 12 matches, RR's chances of making the playoffs are slim, but they are eager to conclude the league stage with a couple of strong performances.