Samson replaces Steve Smith in the post, with the Australian batsman one of eight players released by the franchise at the end of a disappointing 2020 campaign
New Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has emphasised the importance of his leadership style giving confidence to his teammates.
Samson replaces Steve Smith in the role, with the Australian batsman one of eight players released by the franchise at the end of a disappointing 2020 campaign.
Signed by the franchise in 2013, he becomes the third Indian to skipper the side, following the lead of Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane.
He was Rajasthan’s leading run-scorer last time around, with 375 in 14 innings at a strike rate of 158, and explained that his batting would not change despite his new leadership role.
“You can't be a batting captain,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “You're a captain when you are fielding. When you are batting, there are specific roles given to everyone and you just need to do the same role. You don't have to allow captaincy to come into your head while you are batting.”
Despite his relative inexperience – he is just 26 years of age and has represented India just seven times at international level in T20Is – he will have plenty of experience to draw on, not least in the shape of Englishmen Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, with Jofra Archer expected to join up with his teammates later in the tournament. South African allrounder Chris Morris has also joined as an expensive recruit.
“I like to carry everyone with me,” Samson added. “I am not the kind of leader who will stand up tall and say that this is what need we need to do, or this is what I want everyone to do. I am very much flexible in understanding people. I understand that people are different, and they have their different mindsets and characters, but at the same time, I need everyone with me.
“So, it’s all about understanding where are they coming from and putting a hand around them and saying: ‘I’m with you’, and giving them the confidence which they need. If you have made it to the IPL team, you don't need to prove anything else. So it's all about giving them that confidence, that trust, and just giving them their space to express themselves - as simple as that.”
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