Jaipur (Rajasthan), India - April 18 (ANI): Sanju Samson might miss Rajasthan Royals '(RR) upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giant The LSG squad will be watching over the weekend, awaiting the outcomes of scans related to a potential side strain, according to ESPNcricinfo.

"Sanju felt some discomfort in his stomach region," stated head coach RR. Rahul Dravid as cited from ESPNcricinfo.

"We have opted for scans. Today, he underwent several scans, and now we are awaiting the outcomes of these tests. Once we gain clearer insights from the scan results and assess the extent of his injury, we will make further decisions and determine our next steps," he explained.

After scoring 31 runs from 19 deliveries in the recent game against Delhi Capitals (DC), Samson had to depart the pitch due to an injury. It appeared that he struggled with discomfort when attempting a cut shot against Vipraj Nigam and was spotted clutching his left rib area. Despite facing another ball, he quickly exited the field. Ultimately, Rajasthan Royals managed to draw the match but succumbed during the Super Over.

"Everything seems good," Samson stated to the broadcasters, as cited from ESPNcricinfo.

"I simply wasn’t prepared to return and bat here. We’ll check it again tomorrow and assess the situation,” he said.

Samson had started this Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to a thumb injury and participated solely as a batsman in the initial three games. During this time, Riyan Parag captained the side and is expected to resume leadership should Samson remain unfit. Recently, Samson underwent finger surgery but has been permitted to reclaim his roles as captain and wicketkeeper following approval from the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel assumed responsibility for wicketkeeping.

Under Captain Parag’s leadership, RR suffered defeats in their initial two encounters against SRH and KKR. However, they recovered with a victory over CSK in Guwahati. Following this, they won another game against PBKS before experiencing losses in their subsequent three matches. At present, RR ranks eighth on the points tally.

The squad is currently adapting to a fresh opening duo and an altered spinning strategy following the departure of Jos Buttler, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal during the major auction. Nonetheless, head coach Rahul Dravid mentioned that those modifications have not significantly affected their performance.

He pointed out, 'It isn’t like that,'.

"If you look at our opening partnership, they’ve delivered strong performances for us. Both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju have been playing exceptionally well. They also provided a dynamic start in the previous match. However, unfortunately, Sanju suffered an injury and had to leave the field. While this wasn’t necessarily the pivotal moment of the game since we trusted the remaining batsmen, their collaboration has indeed been impressive," he concluded.

"Regarding the other players (Ashwin and Chahal), this occurs during every major auction for each team. You won’t necessarily retain the same squad; occasionally, adjustments must be made, and at times these alterations become unavoidable. The auction process comes with certain regulations that one has to adhere to. Unlike a state team, which can simply select their preferred players, here there are specific guidelines. However, we trust that the selections we’ve made form an excellent team," he stated.

"Our Sri Lankan spin bowlers [Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana] have gained international recognition. Their skills aren’t confined to just playing within the subcontinent; these are seasoned spinners, not novices. While sometimes the team’s performance may fluctuate, we’re consistently putting in our best efforts and working diligently. Therefore, we aim for better outcomes moving ahead,” he stated.

Dravid highlighted that the team's bowling towards the end of matches has been an issue.

"We faced some challenges with our death bowling. In the recent match, we gave away 77 runs in the final five overs. Similarly, in the previous game, we conceded 72 runs. This indicates another aspect where improvement is needed; enhancing our execution could make a difference. Although our strategies have generally been solid, it’s primarily about refining the application of certain techniques," he stated according to ESPNcricinfo.

"Even if something like a 57-60 run rate is considered acceptable during the final five overs, it seems to have become quite standard nowadays. We often aim for around 72-77 runs," he pointed out.

"These additional one or two sixes are something we need to focus on improving. However, it mostly comes down to execution. The skill level is already good," he noted.

Dravid likewise took accountability for the choices made this season, such as opting for Sandeep Sharma instead of Jofra Archer for the Super Over.

"The choices are being made by me and with Sanju Samson "As stated by Dravid, this involves being an essential component thereof and consulting with our other coaches along with our analyst team," according to ESPNcricinfo.

Nobody says that every choice made, even by experts, turns out perfectly or is accurate. However, I appreciate the reality and strongly believe in my team’s capability to assist both myself and Sanju in our decision-making process. Concerning specifically Jofra and Sandeep, we place great faith in Sandeep. He has consistently delivered outstanding performances for us. Throughout this tournament, he has taken on all the challenging spells. We fully endorse his efforts and stand behind him; moreover, considering the circumstances and abilities at hand during that particular match, we were convinced he was the best option as a bowler.