Sandeep Sharma, often referred to as ‘Sandy,’ was the game-changer for Rajasthan Royals in today’s encounter against Lucknow Super Giants. He bowled a wonderful spell of pace bowling that helped in restricting the Giants when they seemed like they were about to get away with the game.
Brought on only in the 15th over as a death-overs-bowler, Sandeep immediately made an impact by dismissing the fluent KL Rahul for 58 runs. Rahul was looking fairly dangerous at the crease and had helped in getting his team to a match-winning situation after a horrendous start. It was Sandy who came to the rescue of the Royals just when they needed it the most.
Sanju Samson’s 52-ball 82 was central to an ultimately comfortable Rajasthan Royals win. Lucknow Super Giants couldn’t quite overcome a disastrous start to the run chase. #IPL2024 #RRvLSG https://t.co/MY1pGYeoCF
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) March 24, 2024
With Nicholas Pooran still at the crease and Marcus Stoinis joining him, the odds to win the game were still with the Giants. Needing 74 runs off the last 7 overs, Giants would have favoured themselves to go on and win the game. However, it was Sandeep again who did not let go of his cool and managed to bowl a brilliant follow-up over when Pooran would have loved to unleash in the remaining three, but it was not to be.
A point to be taken into consideration here is how Sandeep stuck to the basics in an incredibly tense situation. Sandeep was seen continuously hitting the deck and slowing it up with his crafty off and leg cutters, taking the pace off the ball which made hitting immensely difficult for even the well-set Nicholas Pooran.
With three overs for 22 and the all-important wicket of Rahul, Sandeep had done his job remarkably well, leaving Avesh Khan to defend 27 off the last over. Even though performances such as this might not always catch the limelight, it is important to credit him for living up to his job of being a death-overs-specialist.
Sandeep is the unsung hero of the game. The whole Royals unit would expect such unsung heroes to deliver in the matches to come as they look to build some momentum.
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