After a three-week hiatus due to injury, Sandeep Sharma could not have had a better comeback, finishing with remarkable statistics of 5/18 in a game when the scoring rate remained well above the 8.5 rpo level. The Royals deployed Sandeep as a death over specialist in the two games he appeared in earlier this season, preferring to use the fast bowler’s variations and attitude for slog overs.
Sandeep did, however, get the new ball against MI, striking twice upfront before landing three strikes at the back end. With scores bigger than ever in this year’s IPL, bowling has become a thankless task, especially at the death when hitters go crazy. Sandeep emphasized the necessity of having a strong character to succeed in such circumstances.
“In this season, bowlers are going big. Batters are coming down swinging and with an impact player there, we have an extra batter,” said Sandeep at the post-match press conference. “High scoring games are there. So, you need to have a big heart when you are bowling at the death. Just try to execute your plans and leave it. If it goes for runs or wickets, so be it.”
“If you are bowling in the death overs, it can go both ways. Sometimes you can go for runs, sometimes if you bowl well and are lucky enough, you can end up getting wickets. So that is what happened tonight.”
Sandeep showed no signs of rust in his comeback game, as he was right on from the start. There was some movement available with the fresh ball, and he exploited his angles to nip Ishan Kishan on the outside edge. A cunning slower ball then snatched the major scalp of Suryakumar Yadav, who was a little too early into his drop-kick leg-side loft, skying it straight down the ground to long on. At the end, Sandeep used his variety of slower ones and yorkers to effectively tie down MI’s batsmen. It also helped the 30-year-old that the Jaipur surface suited his skill set.
“Last three weeks, I worked really hard towards my fitness. Thanks to all my physios and management who helped me to get back and play. Was working hard in the nets on my variations. I had two practice sessions and the focus was to execute all these variations that I did tonight.”
“Wicket was a bit low and slow when we started, so my plan was to bowl cutters. Leg cutters and off cutters. It came out nicely tonight.”
The Rajasthan Royals’ sixth win of the season has left them in prime position for not just a playoff spot, but also a possible top-two finish. Reflecting on the season’s tremendous success thus far, Sandeep cited the team atmosphere as one of the primary reasons for RR’s on-field successes. The pacer also praised the captain-coach duo of Sanju Samson and Kumar Sangakkara for fostering a positive atmosphere in the camp.
“It is a happy environment, obviously positive. The management is really good, they are really allowing everyone to go out and express themselves. I’d also say Sanju, he is giving a lot of freedom to his bowlers and asking them to set their fields, and bowl according to that. So I’d say freedom and the good environment.
“He (Sangakkara) has played enough cricket to understand everyone’s mind. He knows how to motivate. If you have not done well, he knows what to talk. He always comes with the right words whatever is needed. I’m surprised how he does that.”
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