Sandeep Sharma’s no-ball cost Rajasthan Royals the game, as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abdul Samad secured the victory with a six off the final delivery.
The IPL 2023 proceeded to produce jaw-dropping moments. Due to a no-ball, pacer Sandeep Sharma was forced to re-bowl the final delivery of the match on Sunday night, transforming the Rajasthan Royals’ joy into anguish in a matter of seconds. The final ball of the contest was then hit for a six by the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Abdul Samad, allowing his team to win by six wickets. While it was a miraculous victory for SRH, for RR’s Sandeep, it was a moment of sheer regret that he might never forget.
Lakshmipathy Balaji, a former pace bowler for India and the Chennai Super Kings, believes that Sandeep will never forget this moment. Balaji stated to Star Sports after the game that the veteran pacer will ‘forever’ lament this moment in his career.
“If we recall the final over against CSK, Sandeep was able to win the game with three balls remaining. Here he had a second chance, but the absence of a ball cost him. He maintained his composure and kept things straightforward until the final ball was bowled.
“For a brief instant, he believed the game was over, but the sound of the siren was disheartening. He will eternally regret throwing a no-ball. This particular delivery will undoubtedly linger in his consciousness,” Balaji said to Star Sports after the game.
Balaji had special praise for SRH batter Glenn Phillips, who scored 25 runs off seven balls to keep his team in the chase from a seemingly impossible position.
“I believed that Glenn Phillips is the type of player who can challenge the bowlers. When pursuing a large total, SRH most likely decided to remove Phillips in the last three overs. He made an exceptional connection with the ball, and I’m confident that gave the Sunrisers’ batting order some hope,” Balaji said.
With the victory, SRH has remained in the chase for the playoffs but must win the majority of their remaining league matches if they are to finish in the top four.
