'You have to have a big heart' - Rajasthan Royals' Sandeep Sharma opens up on his IPL 2024 match-winning spell against Mumbai Indians

Pacer Sandeep Sharma produced a sensational bowling performance at the fortress and claimed a five-wicket haul. Courtesy of his bowling performance, Mumbai Indians (MI) batting lineup got dismantled in match 38 of the ongoing IPL 2024 (Indian Premier League), at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, on Monday, April 22.

The 30-year-old pacer's lethal spell (5/18) played a crucial role in restricting Mumbai to 179/9. As a result, hosts Rajasthan Royals (RR) registered a comfortable nine-wicket victory over the visitors. Notably, MI opted to bat first after winning the toss.

However, they had a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just 20 runs under the first four overs. Sandeep Sharma's intelligent use of variations and cutters proved to be the key to his success on a surface that offered assistance to the bowlers. But this did not come easy for the talented bowler as he was earlier unfit and hence could not feature for Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL 2024.

"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 I planned to keep bowling variations and cutters. If you're bowling in the end, you have to have a big heart," Sandeep said during the post-match presentation.

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I'm enjoying every game: Sandeep Sharma

Speaking of the IPL 2024 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians, Sandeep Sharma struck early, dismissing the dangerous Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav cheaply. Despite a brief partnership between Tilak Varma (65) and Mohammad Nabi (23), Mumbai's innings struggled to gain momentum. Sharma also picked the wickets of Tilak Varma, Tim David, and Gerald Coetzee. He was awarded the Player of the Match award for his performance. Playing his third game of the season, Sharma also opened up about how he enjoyed the opportunities given to him.

"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 further added.

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Chasing a target of 180, the Sanju Samson-led side was guided by a brilliant century from Yashasvi Jaiswal (104 off 60 balls) and a composed knock from the skipper Sanju (38 off 28 balls). The duo's partnership ensured a comprehensive victory with nine wickets and eight balls to spare. Currently, RR are sitting at the top of the points table with 14 points while MI are reeling in the seventh position with six points. Rajasthan Royals will now travel to Lucknow to face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next IPL 2024 fixture on April 27.