In a rather unexpected turn of events, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) released a cryptic video just one day after their official statement regarding the change in their social media approach in the wake of Sanju Samson’s tweet uproar on Saturday morning, in which they said that this is all part of the prank.
“This prank was incomplete without a fake audition. PS Unlucky @yuzi_chahal #RoyalsFamily | #HallaBol,” RR tweeted on Saturday.
This prank was incomplete without a fake audition.
PS unlucky @yuzi_chahal #RoyalsFamily | #HelloBol pic.twitter.com/aM3cWJqucv
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 26, 2022
Notably, Rajasthan Royals issued a statement on Friday saying the franchise will make changes to its approach to social media after skipper Sanju Samson went “professional”. The royals’ social media had shared an edited image of Samson on the bus. But he seemed unhappy with her approach and took to Twitter to express his disappointment at the hoax.
Official statement from the Royals management team.
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 25, 2022
According to an official statement, the franchise had also posted a clip on Friday night. Various members of the RR squad including veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Jimmy Neesham, Jos Buttler, bowling coach Lasith Malinga and head coach Sangakkara starred in the clip. The 2008 champions posted the video with the caption, “One last time. PS: I love you @IamSanjuSamson.”
One last time.
PS: love you @IamSanjuSamson. pic.twitter.com/vvYalpFPKI
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 25, 2022
RR’s latest social media gimmick didn’t sit well with cricket fans, who were left at a loss as to what was actually happening. Fans have expressed their displeasure and criticized the franchise for pulling off a “not so fun” Frank just before the start of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
#RajasthanRoyals show why they are known as clowns in IPL ?????? … what a cringe stunt to get attention …. You people created unnecessary hate for Sanju Samson https://t.co/0deBYDhmJb
— Tomy (@kernel7812) March 26, 2022
Cringe https://t.co/5zlhaJetEu
— RC? ?????????n????????? ?? (@thekohlidevotee) March 26, 2022
And what was the sole purpose of this gimmick? Smjh sa aaya nahi kya reach krna chaahte the “admin” https://t.co/BXLtU0j5o4
— Purva (@dreamyyinn) March 26, 2022
It was a Jokers Pink franchise and it will be forever??????????#SanjuSamson https://t.co/0deBYDhmJb
— Tomy (@kernel7812) March 26, 2022
The hate Sanju got because of this so called prank????
How to trip your captain without actually tripping him https://t.co/CO8R86JVvE
— H21 (@RCBboi) March 26, 2022
Nothing short of a permanent ban should be accepted https://t.co/tWsUrnhgSc
— yes (@Kanpur105) March 26, 2022
How to ruin the good name, call the RR social media team at https://t.co/KTAGMAvWAY
— Raghav (@Im_RaghavVR) March 26, 2022
How many retweets to disband this team? https://t.co/7Vr94Jx5gZ
— Loosu dad ?? (@SureSoul) March 26, 2022
The Jaipur-based franchise has a revamped roster this season, but their recent social media prank (as they call it) has drawn harsh criticism from fans. Cricket fans have urged the franchise to focus on games on the field to avoid another Royals failure in the IPL.
Rajasthan are looking to win their first title since the inaugural edition in 2008 when they messed up the odds of winning the trophy under the late Shane Warne. Rajasthan Royals will open their IPL 2022 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday (March 28) at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune.
