The former Indian cricketer and now commentator, Mohammad Kaif, has recently thrown his support behind a player who has often been overlooked in the Indian cricket scene. Sandeep Sharma, the star bowler of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), has caught Kaif’s attention with his consistent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The rise of Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma has quietly gone about his business in the IPL, consistently delivering impressive performances for various franchises. Despite his skills, he has only played two T20Is for India. However, his excellence in the T20 format cannot be ignored. Recently, Sandeep Sharma made a strong comeback for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, where he claimed a remarkable five-wicket haul against the Mumbai Indians.
The Mumbai Indians showdown
In a crucial match against the five-time champions, Sandeep Sharma proved his mettle. He played a pivotal role in dismantling the Mumbai Indians’ top order, taking crucial wickets in the middle and end stages of the match. Remarkably, he conceded just 18 runs in his four overs, leaving the MI batters struggling to play him. This outstanding performance was not an isolated incident; Sandeep has consistently been a wicket-taker in the IPL.
Kaif’s Endorsement for the World T20
Following Sandeep’s impressive showing, Mohammad Kaif took to Twitter to express his opinion. He tweeted:
“Sandeep Sharma is easily the most underrated IPL player. He goes about his job silently, is very brainy, and is a wicket-taker. With 193 T20 wickets at an economy rate of 7.5, it’s not a bad idea to consider him for the World T20, I think.
Kaif’s endorsement highlights Sandeep’s consistency, intelligence, and ability to take crucial wickets. As the T20 World Cup approaches, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar should seriously consider including Sandeep Sharma in the Indian squad.
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Sandeep Sharma’s best performance
Sandeep’s best bowling performance in the IPL 2024 occurred during a match between the Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians. In that game, Sandeep Sharma secured a remarkable five-wicket haul, finishing with impressive figures of 5/18.
This outstanding performance not only stands as the best bowling figure in the 2024 IPL season so far but also marks the third fifer of this season. His ability to execute his plans during the death overs and consistently trouble the opposition batsmen has made him a valuable asset for his team.
Conclusion
Sandeep Sharma’s journey from being an underrated IPL player to a potential World T20 candidate is a testament to his skill and determination. As cricket fans, we hope to see him don the Indian jersey and make a significant impact on the global stage.
Sandeep Sharma doesn’t always get the spotlight, but he quietly gets the job done, showing his smarts on the field and consistently taking crucial wickets.
