Rajasthan Royals' head coach Rahul Dravid has defended the team's contentious choice to select Sandeep Sharma over Jofra Archer for the Super Over against Delhi Capitals, taking full responsibility for a decision that has faced significant backlash. Sandeep was assigned the task of defending 12 runs in the Super Over against KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, but he ultimately allowed the runs to be scored with two balls remaining.

"The decisions are made by me, with Sanju Samson playing a crucial role in that process, alongside consultations with our coaching staff and analyst team," Dravid stated prior to RR's match against Lucknow Super Giants.

"It is important to acknowledge that not every decision made, even by experts, will yield the desired outcome. However, I have great respect for my team and am confident in the support we receive from them and Sanju in making these choices.

"Regarding the specific decision between Jofra and Sandeep, we have faith in Sandeep. He has delivered some excellent overs for us and has handled the challenging overs throughout this tournament. We fully support him and believe he was the most suitable bowler for that wicket and those conditions, given his skill set."

In addition to the scrutiny surrounding the Super Over, Rajasthan has been plagued by significant issues in their death bowling, having conceded 77 and 72 runs in the final five overs of their last two matches against Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, respectively.

"We have struggled a bit with our death bowling, allowing 77 runs in the last five overs in the most recent game and 72 in the previous one," Dravid acknowledged.

"This is an area where we need to improve, focusing on better execution. Our plans have generally been sound; it is primarily about executing those skills more effectively."

"While conceding around 57-60 runs in the last five overs might be acceptable, it has become a trend for us to allow 72-77 runs. We need to address those extra runs."

Dravid on change in squad

Responding In response to concerns regarding significant personnel changes, Dravid acknowledged the adjustments made after the auction. "It's not quite as it seems. If you look at our opening partnership, they have delivered commendable performances. Yashasvi and Sanju have been playing effectively. In the most recent match, they provided us with a dynamic start.

"Regrettably, Sanju sustained an injury and had to leave the field. While I wouldn't classify it as the pivotal moment, we had faith in our other batsmen. Nevertheless, they formed an excellent partnership.

"Regarding the other players, such as Ashwin and Chahal, these situations are common in every major auction across all teams. You cannot always retain the same lineup; sometimes changes are necessary, and at times, they are unavoidable.

"Auctions come with specific regulations that must be adhered to. Unlike a state team, where you can select any players you desire, there are certain guidelines in place. However, we are confident that the players we have chosen constitute a strong team."

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