The 13th match of IPL 2018, between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, pits two youngsters whose performances could have a massive bearing on the end result. Their head to head battle is another point of intrigue.
Sanju Samson has made a dream start to IPL 2018, sitting atop the run-scorers list with 178 runs in three innings even if this is still an embryonic stage in the season. The signs are stark that he may not be a flash in the pan after all.
Against the quality bowling attacks of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils, Samson didn't look out of place and lifted his team from a spot of bother early on, though he will have been disappointed to be dismissed for scores (49 and 37) that didn't do much good for his team. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he imposed himself on the opposition and played shots that were greatly productive and pleasing to the eye at the same time. His unbeaten 45-ball 92 was effectively the difference between the sides.
Kohli: Samson played a brilliant innings
In Kuldeep Yadav, Samson goes up against a spinner who, like his spin twin in the national side (Yuzvendra Chahal), hasn't been at his best so far. Kuldeep has conceded at 8.62 runs per over and three of his five wickets have been consequences of the batsman holing out in the deep playing a big shot rather than him bowling a genuinely good ball to take a wicket.
Samson is another batsman who is capable of testing Kuldeep's credentials. The Kerala batsman plays the spinners from the hand and has the repertoire to get on top of a mystery spinner like Kuldeep, who, in which case, will fancy his chances of winning this battle.
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