Decoding the unique IPL records of Sandeep Sharma
Rajasthan Royals pacer Sandeep Sharma ran through the Mumbai Indians line-up in Match 38 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. He claimed his maiden fifer and finished with 5/18 in four overs. His brilliance was instrumental to RR's emphatic nine-wicket triumph. Notably, this game marked Sandeep's comeback from an injury. Let's decode his unique IPL stats.
Second bowler to complete 50 powerplay wickets
The 2020 season saw Sandeep become the second bowler after Zaheer Khan to complete 50 IPL wickets in the powerplay. Though Sandeep doesn't possess raw pace in his arsenal, he has tormented the best of batters with his swing. His current tally of 57 IPL wickets in powerplay is only second to Bhuvneshwar Kumar (61). Notably, Sandeep represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2020.
First pacer to complete 50 wickets for PBKS
In 2016, Sandeep became the first pacer to complete 50 wickets for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Overall, he has claimed 73 wickets in 61 games for the franchise at 18.42. Only leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (84) has taken more wickets for PBKS to date. Arshdeep Singh (67) and Mohammed Shami (58) trail Sandeep in terms of wickets for PBKS among pacers.
Dominance against Virat Kohli
The highest run-getter in IPL history, Virat Kohli has fallen prey to Sandeep seven times across 15 IPL meetings. No other bowler has dismissed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman more often. So far, Kohli has managed to score 87 runs off 67 balls against Sandeep. Interestingly, four of Kohli's dismissals against Sandeep have come in the powerplay.
Only bowler to dismiss the dangerous trio
Although the dangerous RCB trio of Chris Gayle, Virat, and AB de Villiers played seven IPL seasons together, there was a solitary instance of one bowler dismissing all three in the same game. Sandeep owns this feat as he ran through the RCB line-up in the 2017 game in Bengaluru. The pacer took all the there key wickets in the powerplay.
Fourth player with IPL fifer for RR
Sandeep became only the fourth player to take a five-wicket haul for RR in the IPL. Sohail Tanvir, James Faulkner (twice), and Yuzvendra Chahal are the only other bowlers with this feat. Notably, Sandeep now has the third-best bowling figures for RR in the IPL. He is only behind Tanvir (6/16 in 2008) and Faulkner (5/16 in 2013).
