Why did Sandeep Sharma miss LSG vs RR clash of IPL 2026?
(Courtesy : BCCI/IPL)
Sandeep Sharma also missed RR’s previous match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
After starting their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season on the back of four consecutive wins, the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) have lost their way mid-season with two straight defeats.
RR are be up against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Unlike RR, LSG have struggled for consistency so far, winning only two matches so far. Their batting has failed to deliver, with Nicholas Pooran being the biggest disappointment for the franchise.
Pooran had a splendid start to his IPL season last year, but is yet to make an impact this year. Their other big-name overseas batters and captain Rishabh Pant too have been unable to deliver on a consistent basis, which has left them reeling at the bottom half of the points table.
Why is Sandeep Sharma not playing LSG vs RR clash of IPL 2026?
Leading into the IPL 2026 competition, Sandeep Sharma was expected to be RR‘s leading Indian fast bowler. Sharma had been retained as an uncapped player by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Over the years, he has been one of the most underrated bowlers, nailing his yorkers with perfection at the death overs and swinging the ball upfront in the powerplay. A testimony to his brilliance is his superb record against some of the best batters in the tournament, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
He has over 150 wickets in IPL, however, has not been anywhere close to his best in this edition of the IPL. Having played five matches, he has picked only five wickets, going at an economy of 10.86 and an average of 36.20.
These numbers are rare for a bowler of Sandeep Sharma’s capabilities, indicating his poor run of form. This has forced the Royals’ management to look for options. Luckily for them, their Indian uncapped fast bowling options have not disappointed.
Tushar Deshpande has already won them a match against the Gujarat Titans, and Brijesh Sharma has shown excellent potential with his variations. Bowling second against LSG, RR have named Brijesh as part of their playing XI, with Deshpande named in the impact players list.
Another player who could get a look in, is Yash Raj Punja, who made his debut last match against KKR and finished his spell of four overs by going for just 25 runs and picking the wicket of Ramandeep Singh.
Why did Sandeep Sharma miss the LSG vs RR match in IPL 2026?
Sandeep Sharma was left out due to poor form, having taken only five wickets in five matches with a high economy rate, prompting RR to try other bowling options.
Who replaced Sandeep Sharma in the Rajasthan Royals playing XI?
Brijesh Sharma was included in the playing XI, while Tushar Deshpande and Yash Raj Punja were named among the impact players.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.