Rajasthan Royals‘ journey in IPL 2024 came to a disappointing end after a 36-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday. However, amidst the heartbreak, captain Sanju Samson found a bright spark in the performance of pacer Sandeep Sharma.
Sandeep Sharma steals show on spinner’s day
While spin dominated the Qualifier 2 match, Sandeep Sharma’s precise swing bowling provided a refreshing contrast. His spell of 2/25 in four overs, including crucial wickets of power-hitters Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, showcased his talent.
This performance echoed Sandeep’s consistency throughout the season, prompting high praise from his captain.
Sanju Samson: Sandeep Sharma the “Next Jasprit Bumrah”
“I am happy for him,” said Samson after the match. “By not being picked in the auctions 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.”
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From unsold to indispensable for RR
Last season, Sandeep went unsold in the IPL auction. However, Rajasthan Royals signed him as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna, and he has emerged as a vital cog in their pace attack.
He finished the season with an impressive 13 wickets in 11 matches, boasting an economy rate of 8.18 and a strike rate of 17.54.
Young Talent shines at Rajasthan Royals
Beyond Sandeep, Samson also highlighted the contributions of youngsters Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag, who played instrumental roles in the team’s batting throughout the season. Jurel’s unbeaten 56* against SRH exemplified their potential.
Looking beyond Rajasthan’s shortcomings, Samson expressed optimism for an exciting final between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. “The condition suits both of them,” he said. “It’ll be a great game, that’s what IPL has been giving us for the last 16 years.”
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Match Summary: SRH vs RR
Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a total of 175/9 on the board, with Heinrich Klaasen’s 50 being the top score. Rajasthan Royals, chasing the target, were restricted to 139/7, succumbing to the pressure applied by SRH’s spinners. With this win, Sunrisers Hyderabad will now face Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday.
