Meet RR pacer Sandeep Sharma: From unsold in 2023 to dismissing Virat Kohli most number of times in IPL history and now scripting another record
This outstanding performance not only marked Sandeep’s personal achievement but also etched his name in the annals of Rajasthan Royals’ history. His spell of 5/18 stands as the third-best by any RR bowler in IPL history, with only Sohail Tanvir and James Faulkner ahead of him. Sandeep Sharma’s bowling prowess extends beyond this match; he holds several other records, such as being the bowler who has dismissed Virat Kohli the most times in IPL history and his impressive record against renowned batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, according to Cricinfo.
In the ongoing season, Sandeep has continued to impress, accumulating six wickets in just three games at an average of 12.66, with his standout performance being in the match against Mumbai Indians. Throughout his IPL career spanning 119 matches, he has taken a total of 130 wickets at an average of 26.72, with his best figures being 5/18. Additionally, he has achieved two four-wicket hauls, showcasing his consistency and effectiveness as a bowler.
Reflecting on his remarkable performance against Mumbai Indians, Sandeep Sharma attributed his success to his strategy of utilizing variations and cutters while bowling. Despite recently recovering from injury, Sandeep expressed his satisfaction with his comeback and emphasized his enjoyment of every game in the ongoing T20 tournament. He highlighted the importance of having a courageous mindset, especially when bowling under pressure in the IPL.Turning to the match itself, Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bat first, finding themselves at a precarious 20/3 at one stage. However, Tilak Varma’s 65-run innings and Nehal Wadhera’s 49-run knock provided some stability, leading MI to a competitive total of 179/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Sandeep Sharma emerged as the standout performer for Rajasthan Royals, claiming five wickets for just 18 runs, while Trent Boult and Avesh Khan also made significant contributions with the ball.Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s blistering century propelled Rajasthan Royals to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians. Jaiswal’s unbeaten 104 off 60 balls guided Rajasthan to chase down MI’s total comfortably, securing their victory with an emphatic performance.
Who is Sandeep Sharma?
Sandeep Sharma, hailing from Punjab, rose to prominence during the 2012 Under-19 ICC Cricket World Cup, where his exceptional performance played a crucial role in India’s victory. Since then, he has been recognized for his ability to swing the ball and has consistently performed well in domestic and IPL cricket. Despite facing challenges such as going unsold in auctions, Sandeep has remained resilient and continues to be a valuable asset for his team, showcasing his experience and wicket-taking abilities. His inclusion in Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2023 season as a replacement player for njured Prasidh Krishna underscores his significance in the team’s bowling lineup, further highlighting his importance in the upcoming seasons. He had gone unsold in 2023 IPL auctions.
Source link
