Former cricketer Aakash Chopra praised Rajasthan Royals’ seamer Sandeep Sharma. His superb bowling won the IPL 2024 match against Mumbai Indians on April 22 in Jaipur.
Sandeep’s spell was tremendous: 5 wickets for 18 runs in 4 overs. Mumbai scored just 179/9 batting first (Hardik Pandya’s decision). Chasing easily, Sanju Samson’s Royals won by 9 wickets, 8 balls left. This strengthened their lead atop the points table.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Aakash Chopra complimented Sandeep for proving his worth despite going unsold during the IPL 2023 auction.
“Sandeep picked up five wickets. He was unavailable for a few matches, he wasn’t fit, but as soon as he became fit, he became superhit. Taking five wickets is not an easy job but if you see his figures, you will say that he almost bowled four maiden overs. He bowled in the powerplay and then at the death as well.”
“He dismissed two players at the start and three players later. He was absolutely stellar, spectacular, outstanding and sensational. That’s Sandeep Sharma. He is an extremely underrated bowler. He went unsold. The story from going unsold till here – take a bow, my friend, I love you a lot.”
Aakash Chopra
At the IPL 2023 auction, Sandeep was overlooked by all franchises. However, the Rajasthan Royals signed him as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna last season. He has since rewarded their trust by delivering crucial spells that impacted match outcomes.
Aakash Chopra Applauds Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Return to Form for Rajasthan Royals
While looking back at Rajasthan Royals’ run chase, Aakash Chopra applauded Yashasvi Jaiswal. He appreciated that Jaiswal could finally perform well.
“When it was Rajasthan’s turn to bat, Jos Buttler hit a little at the start and Yashasvi hit a lot. He scored a century. We were waiting for the time when the kid would come in form, and he did. I like him a lot for the way he plays. I was angry thus far because he was trying to hit the ball too hard. It seemed like he wanted to break the ball into two pieces.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator praised the Rajasthan Royals’ opener for his strokeplay against both speed and spin.
“However, he gave himself time on this occasion. When he starts driving well, you know the wagon is back on track. The drives he hit against (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Nuwan) Thushara were absolutely sensational. He also played a few lofted shots down the ground against spin. A spinner hasn’t dismissed him even once from the last year till now.”
Aakash Chopra
Yashasvi Jaiswal hit nine fours and seven sixes throughout his undefeated century. The teenager combined 74 for the opening wicket with Jos Buttler (35 off 25). He then forged an unbroken 109-run second-wicket partnership with Sanju Samson (38* off 28) to secure the victory for the Royals.