Sandeep Sharma credits RR management for giving a free hand to their bowlers

RR fast bowler Sandeep Sharma credited the team management, including head coach Kumar Sangakkara and captain Sanju Samson, for giving a free hand to their bowlers, saying it’s the good vibes in the dressing room that has contributed to their success on the field. Sandeep rattled MI in their IPL 2024 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday with his maiden 5-wicket haul in T20 cricket as the visiting team was restricted to 179 for 9 in 20 overs.

Speaking to the press after winning the Player of the Match award, Sandeep Sharma said Sanju Samson is a bowlers’ captain and it has been an enjoyable ride, working under the Royals skipper.

“It’s just a happy environment and a very positive. Our management is really good, they are allowing everyone to go and express themselves and I would say Sanju is doing a great job. He gives a lot of freedom to the bowlers and asks them to set their fields and bowl according to that. I would say that freedom and, at the same time, a good environment. That is getting us the results,” Sandeep said.

Sandeep revealed that he was given assurance by the team management that he would find a place in the XI as soon as he recovered from a side strain, which kept him out of action for 5 games. Sandeep played 2 games at the start of the IPL 2024 season and returned to action only on April 23 and he made an instant impact, picking up a 5-wicket haul.

Sandeep also heaped praise on Kumar Sangakkara, talking up the Sri Lankan legend’s ability to manage the players.

“Obviously, he has played enough cricket to understand everyone’s mind and he knows how to motivate and if you have not done well, he knows what to talk about. Somehow, he always comes up with the right words and what he needs to say. I am so surprised how he does that!” Sandeep said.

Sandeep broke the back of the powerful MI batting unit after captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat on a two-paced pitch in Jaipur. He bowled with the new ball again and got the big wickets of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav.

He then returned at the death, picking the wickets of Tilak Varma, who had hit 65, big-hitter Tim David and Gerlald Coetzee.

Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring an unbeaten 104, Sandeep Sharma walked away with the Player of the Match Award for his heroics with the ball.

RR are all but assured of a spot in the playoffs. The 2008 champions are sitting pretty on the top of the points table with 7 wins in 8 matches so far in IPL 2024.