"Never Got My Due": Ignored India Star With Best Figures In IPL 2024 Laments

IPL often makes unheralded players into stars. Sharing the big stage with international players, often Indian uncapped player grab the limelight - like Sandeep Sharma. Recently, he took a five-wicket haul for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in Jaipur. It is the best figures in the IPL 2024 so far. It is also among the top-20 best bowling figures in the 17-year history of the IPL. Overall, Sandeep has 130 wickets in the IPL in 119 matches and has played two T20Is for India. 

After his latest feat several former stars like Tom Moody and Mohammad Kaif called him the 'most under-rated' player in IPL.

On him being called under-rate, Sharma told Indian Express: "I don't know. I have never thought about it. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai mujhe mera due nahi mila jo milna chahiaye tha (Sometimes I feel like I never got the credit I deserved). But it's fine. I am not 23-24 anymore. By the end of this tournament, I will turn 31. Few things are just not in your hands."

Sandeep Sharma is easily the most underrated IPL player. Goes about his job silently, is very brainy and a wicket-taker. 193 T20 wickets at 7.5 Economy. Not a bad idea to consider him for World T20, I think.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 22, 2024

After grabbing five wickets against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Monday, Rajasthan Royals (RR) bowler Sandeep Sharma said that his plan to use "variations and cutters" while bowling. Sharma put up a scintillating performance against MI. He picked up five wickets and gave away just 18 runs in his four-over spell at an economy rate of 4.50. While speaking at the post-match presentation, Sharma said he felt good after a comeback from injury. The 30-year-old pacer added that he was enjoying every game in the ongoing T20 tournament.

"Got fit the day before yesterday only. The first game after fitness, feeling good. The pitch was on the slower side and lower side, so my plan was to keep bowling variations and cutters. If you're bowling in the end, you have to have a big heart. Have seen in the IPL, that bowlers are under the pump. Need to have a big heart and keep executing plans. As you know, I went unsold two years ago. Came in as a replacement. So I'm enjoying every game," Sharma said.

Sandeep Sharma one of the most underrated bowlers in #IPL history.
Matches - 118
Wickets - 125
Econ - 7.86
S/R - 21.1
Today you can add 5/18 off 4 overs to the above.#RRvMI

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) April 22, 2024

After winning the toss, MI decided to bat first. Tilak Varma (65) and Nehal Wadhera (49) were the only two standout batters for the Mumbai-based franchise in the first inning. Varma and Wadhera's knock powered MI to 179/9.

Sandeep Sharma led the Royals' bowling attack after he picked up five wickets in his four-over spell and gave just 18 runs. Meanwhile, Trent Boult bagged 2 wickets.

During the run chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal (104) guided the hosts to their 7th win of the season as they beat MI by 9 wickets.

Piyush Chawla was the only wicket-taker for the visitors.

With ANI inputs 

Topics mentioned in this article

Rajasthan Royals Mumbai Indians Sandeep Sharma IPL 2024 Cricket India Cricket Team