The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to kickstart tomorrow, with a thrilling clash between 4-time IPL champs Chennai Super Kings and defending champions Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals will kickstart their campaign in the upcoming season with a clash against SunRisers Hyderabad on 2nd April.
Rajasthan Royals has a stellar squad having players including the likes of Jos Buttler, Joe Root, and Ravichandran Ashwin who come with a lot of experience. This will make the job of captain Sanju very easier as he can turn to these experienced players whenever he needs any guidance.
Joe Root Hailed Sanju Samson
However, Joe Root, who will make his maiden appearance in the cash-rich league, feels that Samson has already created a position for himself in the team to lead these champion players. Showering praises on the RR captain, Root said:
“Last year was an exceptional year for the franchise and I’ve always enjoyed watching Sanju (Samson) play. I think he’s a hell of a talent and seems to keep growing every year as a player and as a leader,”
He added: “It’s a real family environment. Everyone seems to want to create that feel around things that it’s more than just performances on the field. It’s been a very warm welcome from the very first call, they said they were delighted to get me in the auction and I’m really looking forward to catching up further down the line.”
“I’ve been here for a couple of days and feel very much a part of things already. I think it’s a really nice environment to play cricket and I’m looking forward to it. I am being extremely well looked after and eventually that helps me excel on the field,”
Furthermore, Root, who is looking forward to the season, shared his excitement regarding the upcoming season. He said:
“I’m really excited, it’s an experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world. I’ve never experienced it before so it’s all going to be very new to me, which, for an experienced player that’s played a lot of international cricket, is really exciting.”
He added: “I’ve heard a lot of things. And I’m really looking forward to living it now. It’s gonna be a very special year with the fact that the Royals are coming back to Jaipur and connecting with the fans and the city again. We’re looking forward to embracing that atmosphere and being a part of it,”
Root Is Excited To See Riyan Parag
Root also talked about the player who he’s excited to see play in the upcoming season of the IPL and he is RR’s young talent Riyan Parag. He said: “Riyan Parag. He played some important innings last year at a very young age, but I think he is quite mature as a player. I’m looking forward to watching and learning from these guys and seeing how they go about practice and how they think about the game.
“Ashwin is another name I’m really excited about. He’s definitely a match winner, and it’s great to get the opportunity to work with these guys up close, watch them go about things, learn from them and hopefully spend some treasured memories with them as well,”
