IPL 2021: [Watch] Sanju Samson gets into six-hitting mode ahead of RR vs DC

Ahead of their second match of IPL 2021 against Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson was seen getting into the groove and smashing a few big ones.

The clip was shared by the franchise on their Instagram page, accompanied by the following caption:

High hopes, higher aspirations. 🔝

During RR's first match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Sanju Samson became the first centurion of IPL 2021 when he smashed 119 off just 63 balls to almost pull off an improbable victory on his RR captaincy debut.

Chasing Punjab's mammoth 222-run target, Samson single-handedly kept his team in the game as he bludgeoned 12 fours and 7 sixes even as batsmen at the other end continued to flounder.

Feel for Sanju Samson, tried so so hard and played one of the greatest knock in IPL history but lost the match by 4 runs - Samson scored 119 runs from just 63 balls including 12 fours and 7 sixes while chasing 222 runs. #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/OSdsplRUqF

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 12, 2021

However, with victory in sight and 13 runs required off the last over, Sanju Samson could not conjure up the final punch.

Having brought the equation down to 5 runs off the last delivery, the elegant right-hander was in for a massive heartbreak as he failed to get underneath Arshdeep Singh's wide yorker and was caught by the extra cover fielder.

Battle of the Indian wicketkeepers as Sanju Samson's RR take on Rishabh Pant's DC

Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the IPL following a broken finger in last night's game. 😔He will stay with the Royals and support the rest of the group in the upcoming matches. 💗#RoyalsFamily | @benstokes38 pic.twitter.com/WVUIFmPLMJ

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 13, 2021

With their talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2021 with a broken finger, RR and Sanju Samson will have to up their game if they are to defeat last year's finalists DC and open their account.

Meanwhile, the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals opened their campaign with an easy victory over MS Dhoni's CSK and will be looking to keep the momentum going.

Chasing 188 runs for the win, Pant's team cruised to the target with 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare thanks to a brilliant 138-run opening partnership between Shikhar Dhawan (85 off 54 balls) and Rishabh Pant (72 off 38 balls). Pant remained not out on 15 and finished the job with a boundary.

I used to wait for Virat🔥 VS Dhoni🧊 match in every IPL. But this time it is #RishabhPant VS #SanjuSamson . The two power hitters. What a match it will be.#RRvsPBKS #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/a0nuOoLjlD

— Akash Palvalsa (@akash_palvalsa) April 12, 2021

Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant are arguably the best Indian wicketkeeper batsmen presently and will be looking to one up the other when their teams clash at Mumbai's high-scoring Wankhede Stadium tonight.