Sandeep Sharma becomes fourth player with IPL fifer for RR
Veteran seamer Sandeep Sharma weaved his magic with the ball in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Sandeep took a historic five-wicket haul as Rajasthan Royals stopped MI from going past 200. The visitors scored 179/9 in 20 overs after electing to bat. Notably, Sandeep took three wickets in the innings' final over.
Sandeep takes 5/18 in four overs
While Trent Boult dismissed Rohit Sharma early on, Sandeep removed Ishan Kishan in the next over. The right-arm seamer next barred Suryakumar Yadav from going all out. Sandeep then took three wickets in the final over, including that of Tilak Varma, to record his maiden IPL fifer. Sandeep, who sprayed slower balls, conceded 18 runs in four overs.
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, 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).
Sandeep makes Suryakumar his bunny
As mentioned, Sandeep dismissed Suryakumar as the dasher was caught by Rovman Powell. The right-hander was outfoxed in an attempt to clear the rope. Sandeep has now dismissed Suryakumar four times in eight IPL innings. The latter has 33 runs off 32 balls at just 8.25 against Sandeep. As per Cricbuzz, Suryakumar has fallen to Sandeep the most number of times in the IPL.
A look at his IPL journey
Sandeep, who starred in the 2012 ICC Under-19 World Cup, made his IPL debut in 2013 for Punjab Kings. He played for the franchise across two stints until 2022. Sandeep is still PBKS' second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL (73). He later moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad and took 43 wickets at 30.78. In 2023, Sandeep joined RR as a replacement for the injured Prasidh Krishna.
Sandeep races to 130 IPL wickets
Sandeep, a veteran seamer, has raced to 130 wickets from 119 matches in the IPL. He averages 26.72 and has an economy rate of 7.83 in this regard. The tally includes two four-wicket hauls in addition to a fifer.
