IPL 2024: R Ashwin reveals Sanju Samson’s hilarious side off the field says, ‘he is extremely...’

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has commended Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson's leadership qualities ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ashwin and Samson have played for RR together since 2022.

RR will kick off their IPL 2024 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 24. Samson, who was named the captain of RR in IPL 2021, has led the side for the last three seasons. Under his leadership, the franchise reached the finals in 2022 but lost to the Gujarat Titans (GT).

ALSO READ: MS Dhoni teases he will get a 'new' role in IPL 2024

Ashwin lauds Samson's leadership skills

While talking to Star Sports, Ashwin heavily praised Samson, calling his leadership qualities phenomenal.

“On the field, I try and give him inputs as I see how the game is panning out. However, that relationship off the field doesn’t come on the field. It’s generally that younger brother, elder brother sort of a relationship off it. On the field, we are able to switch off,” said Ashwin.

 

“I do what he wants and give my inputs and then he takes what he wants and gets on with it. I find Sanju as a young captain, he is able to differentiate, and demarcate both which is phenomenal,” Ashwin added.

 

ALSO READ: IPL 2024: With Pat Cummins named the 10th captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad; a look at all the previous 9 skippers

 

Ashwin reveals Samson's surprising off-field humour 

 

He also added that Samson is really funny off the field, stating that he is a completely different person on and off the field.

 

“Sanju is extremely funny off the field. I am not sure a lot of people understand that or probably know that. It’s a problem of perfection a lot of people battle how you see someone on the ground and how they are off it, it’s completely different,” Ashwin added.

 

The RR won the first-ever IPL in 2008, and Samson would want to make it two trophies for the Rajasthan-based franchise with their interesting mix of young talents and experienced players.

 

ALSO READ: 'Gautam Gambhir got carried away because...': Naveen-ul-Haq reveals unheard tale of shocking spat with Virat Kohli in IPL 2023

 

RR Squad for IPL 2024

Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger.

 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK: 

Delhi HC seeks government, WFI's response to wrestlers' petition against wrestling federation elections

Inzamam-ul-Haq slams PCB for sacking Mohammad Hafeez as Team Director, questions why Wahab Riaz was not held accountable?

'Gautam Gambhir got carried away because...': Naveen-ul-Haq reveals unheard tale of shocking spat with Virat Kohli in IPL 2023

Kuldeep Yadav nears impressive milestone, poised to join India's exclusive 50-wicket club across formats; check list here