Full credit to Sandeep Sharma, bowling with a wet ball to MS Dhoni: Brett Lee

Former Australia all-rounder Brett Lee praised Rajasthan Royals (RR) bowler Sandeep Sharma for his outstanding performance in Wednesday's IPL 2023 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Sandeep Sharma bowled a sensational final over to help RR win over CSK by three runs in the last-ball thriller.

After being invited to bat first, RR set a 176-run target for MS Dhoni and Co. at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. CSK were restricted to 172 for 6 in 20 overs while chasing the target. When CSK needed five runs off one delivery, Sandeep kept his cool and prevented Dhoni from scoring a boundary.

While speaking to JioCinema, the digital media rights holder of the IPL 2023, Brett Lee lavished praise on Sandeep Sharma. He attributed the victory entirely to Sandeep Sharma, who according to him bowled well with a wet ball against the legendary MS Dhoni. 

“I like what he said in his post-match interview about how over the wicket wasn’t working, so he came around the wicket. But you’re right. It’s right within his arc, that sweet spot, and if he missed it by an inch, it would have gone for six. Full credit to Sandeep Sharma, bowling with a wet ball to MS Dhoni who is on fire, they’ve got the whole crowd against them. He closed out the game under pressure and that is absolutely hats off to him to win by three runs," Lee said.

Sandeep's execution should be recognised: RP Singh

Another JioCinema IPL expert, RP Singh, was impressed with Sandeep's final-over performance, particularly considering his terrible start. According to the former India player, the 29-year-old bowler was aware that if he made a minor mistake, Dhoni would have punished him with a six. RP Singh stated that Sandeep kept the same in mind and performed well, thus his execution should be recognised.

“It started with two wides and then a dot ball, and then we got to see two sixes as well. When the sixes were hit, pressure was bound to catch up. At that time, you had to back yourself. We have heard the same thing from Dhoni that he will capitalize on every mistake a bowler makes and punish him with a six.

"He always puts that pressure on the bowler, so imagine the mental state Sandeep Sharma was in. He knew that this batter will hit sixes if I make even the smallest mistake. Executing it the way he did is something that should be recognized.”