IPL 2022 | CSK vs MI | The Evolution of Daniel Sams

'Cricket is a great leveller', and there is no one better at the moment than Daniel Sams to prove this long-standing proverb true. Sams was picked up as a bowler who can be handy with the bat in the lower middle order by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 2.6 Cr. 

In the first few matches, the bowling all-rounder failed to prove his worth and, as a result, was benched. But the Aussie displayed tremendous character to bounce back and deliver significant performances once he got an opportunity to return to the playing XI.

Let us look at Sams' performances in the IPL 2022 and rate them with a performance indicator:

Performance Indicators (PI):

Green: Impactful Performance

Yellow: Average Performance

Red: Below Par Performance

Vs DC (Match 2): Sams remained unbeaten on seven off two balls with the bat. But he gave away 57 runs from 4 overs at an economy of 14.25 without picking up a wicket with the ball in hand.

PI: Red

Vs RR (match 9): Got out for a golden duck while batting. Gave away 32 runs in 4 overs without picking up a wicket with the ball in hand.

PI: Red

Vs KKR (match 14): Did not get a chance to bat. Gave away 50 runs in 3 overs with just a wicket.

PI: Red

Pat Cummins smoked him for 35 runs in an over, which resulted in Sams being dropped from the team. After being sidelined for three matches, the Australian returned to the side in match number 33rd.

Vs CSK (Match 33): He could not contribute much with the bat as he scored five runs off three balls while batting. He picked up four wickets for 30 runs from his four overs with the ball.

PI: Green

Vs LSG (Match 37): Scored just three runs off seven deliveries, conceded 40 runs from 4 overs, and picked up a wicket.

PI: Red

VS RR (Match 44): Gave away 32 runs in four overs and picked up a wicket while bowling. He scored smoked a six off the first ball when MI was unduly putting pressure on themselves.

PI: Yellow

VS GT (Match 51): Did not score a run with the bat, and while bowling, gave away 18 runs in 3 overs without a wicket.

PI: Yellow

Vs KKR (Match 56): Scored one run from two balls, picked up one wicket, and conceded 26 runs in his four overs.

PI: Yellow

Vs CSK (Match 59): Daniel Sams went past the CSK top order in a flash. In his four overs, he conceded 16 runs and picked up three wickets. He might have failed with the bat, but his heroics with the ball were good enough to win his side the game.

PI: Green

In the initial stage of the tournament, all his performances were below par. Sams looked like a liability for the team with 100% red performances before being dropped. But after he came back, 33% of his performances have been in the green zone, and only 16% have been in the red zone. So he has slowly proved his worth and made himself an integral part of the MI team.