"He swung the ball like a boomerang"- Wasim Akram on 'underrated' RR pacer Sandeep Sharma [SK Match ki Baat Exclusive]
Former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram has heaped praise on Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Sandeep Sharma for his incredible IPL 2024 season so far. In eigtht matches, Sandeep has picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.93 and has bowled difficult overs for the Royals.
Akram recalled his first memory of Sandeep during the 2012 U19 World Cup Down Under. The former cricketer shed light on how the Indian pacer was then a swing specialist and how he has added variations to his repertoire to adapt to the demands of the modern game.
Speaking exclusively on Sportskeeda's SK Match ki Baat, here's what Wasim Akram had to say about Sandeep Sharma:
"He bowls brilliantly at the death, has a fine yorker and slower ball, and also swings the new ball. I saw him for the first time at the 2012 U19 World Cup where he swung the ball like a boomerang. He is an underrated cricketer."
Praising Sandeep's intelligence, Akram added:
"I have spoken previously too about why someone who bowls in the final three overs needs to be a specialist. There are very few bowlers in the world who are in that skill set and Sandeep is one of them."
Along with Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma has formed a reliable death-bowling pair for the Rajasthan Royals. This Indian balance has allowed them to play Rovoman Powell instead of an extra overseas bowler.
Wasim Akram on his conversations with Sandeep Sharma
Wasim Akram revealed that when he was associated with the IPL as a commentator and was part of the coaching staff, he did have a few conversations with Sandeep Sharma on how the latter could work on his swing and other skills.
On this, Akram said:
"Yes when I was in the IPL and a commentator, these kids used to come and ask me questions. He used to ask me about swing and I just used to tell him to back his skills and focus on taking wickets. Now he has also developed the slower bouncer and the yorker outside off stump."
Wasim lauded Sandeep's 'street-smartness' for knowing he didn't have express pace and that he had to work on his strengths and add more to his game around what he knows best.