23 Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma: Career Profile & 2026 Outlook

The “Giant Killer” of the IPL

Sandeep Sharma’s reputation is built on his remarkable record against elite batters. He famously holds the record for dismissing Virat Kohli seven times in the IPL and has also claimed the wicket of Rohit Sharma five times. While he was initially known for his prodigious swing in the powerplay, his stint with the Rajasthan Royals has seen him transform into a death-overs specialist. His “knuckleball” and pin-point yorkers were instrumental in RR’s playoff runs in 2024 and 2025.

Resilience and the “Royal” Revival

After going unsold in the 2023 auction, Sandeep’s career was revived when he joined Rajasthan as an injury replacement for Prasidh Krishna. He seized the opportunity, becoming the team’s go-to “clutch” bowler. Despite a fractured finger in May 2025 that briefly sidelined him, Sandeep returned to domestic action for Chandigarh in late 2025, showing no signs of rust. For the 2026 season, he is expected to mentor a high-velocity pace unit featuring Jofra Archer and Kwena Maphaka.

Key Career Milestone

In April 2024, Sandeep recorded his best-ever IPL figures of 5/18 against Mumbai Indians, proving that even in a batter-dominated era, his skills remain lethal. He is currently among the top 10 all-time wicket-takers in IPL history, a testament to his longevity and consistency.

Sandeep Sharma: IPL Career Statistics

Data consolidated as of January 20, 2026.

Bowling Performance

Batting & Fielding Records