Sanju Samson's Playoff Struggles Haunt Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 Loss

Sanju Samson's Playoff Woes Continue as Rajasthan Royals Fall to Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson's dismal record in IPL playoffs extended on Friday as his team suffered a Qualifier 2 defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. Samson's underwhelming performance, scoring just 10 runs off 11 deliveries, drew sharp criticism from fans on social media.

Samson's struggles in the knockouts have been a recurring theme throughout his IPL career. Since 2013, he has managed just a single half-century in nine playoff matches, with six scores below 20. His latest failure against SRH added to his poor record, leaving his side in a precarious position in their pursuit of 176.

The Royals' chase got off to a shaky start as Samson fell in the ninth over, leaving his team in disarray. His dismissal followed a disappointing performance in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he scored only 17 runs.

Samson's poor form in the playoffs has raised questions about his leadership and ability to perform under pressure. Fans took to social media to express their frustration, with many calling for a change in captaincy.

Despite Samson's struggles, the Royals bowlers put up a valiant effort, with Trent Boult and Avesh Khan claiming three wickets each. However, SRH managed to post a competitive total of 175 for nine, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's 34-ball 50 and contributions from Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi.

The defeat marks the end of the Royals' IPL campaign, while SRH will face Chennai Super Kings in the final on Sunday. Samson's playoff woes will continue to be a talking point as he looks to improve his record in future tournaments.

Tags: #SanjuSamson, #IPLPlayoffs, #RajasthanRoyals, #SunrisersHyderabad, #Cricket