"Next only to Bumrah.." Sanju Samson sings high praise for Sandeep Sharma after loss in Qualifier 2

Sandeep Sharma scalped two wickets in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 against SRH.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson heaped praise on veteran pacer Sandeep Sharma, opining that his numbers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season have been the second-best among the Indian pacers after Jasprit Bumrah.

Rajasthan’s campaign came to an end on a heartbreaking note after they suffered a 36-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on May 24.

During the game, RR’s Sandeep Sharma played a crucial role with the ball as he picked two big wickets, those of the in-form Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen. Sharma returned with brilliant figures of 2/25 in his four-over spell.

In the IPL 2023 auction, Sandeep had gone unsold, but he was then roped in by the Rajasthan-based franchise as replacement for the injured Prasidh Krishna. In the 2023 season, Sandeep played 12 games and scalped 10 wickets at an economy of 8.61.

He was retained for this year’s edition. Sandeep took 13 wickets in 11 outings this season and played a significant role in helping RR reach the playoffs as he developed his death-overs skill set. Sandeep also registered a five-wicket haul in the 2024 season.

I am happy for him: Sanju Samson on Sandeep Sharma

On a night where spinners dominated on the Chepauk surface, the 31-year-old Sandeep impressed everyone with the ball by scalping two wickets. Rajasthan skipper Samson named him the “next guy” after Bumrah when it came to Indian pacers’ ability to contain runs since last season.

“I am happy for him. By not being picked in the auction and coming back as a replacement. The way he bowled, he has delivered. If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he will be the next guy after Bumrah. He has done a great job,” Samson said after the game.

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