Swing bowlers who can deliver at any stage remain priceless in T20s. Sandeep Sharma has been doing exactly that for over a decade. The Punjab pacer quietly keeps picking wickets while younger names grab headlines.
His 114 wickets across 104 IPL matches tell the real story. That economy rate of 7.77 shows how rarely he gets smashed. Now he’s staying put for another season at his franchise.
His IPL Team for 2026
Rajasthan Royals retained Sandeep Sharma ahead of the 19th season confidently. The IPL Team needs experienced Indian pacers who deliver under pressure consistently. His numbers across 104 matches proved his worth beyond any doubt.
He joined this franchise initially as a replacement for injured Prasidh Krishna. The Team kept him after watching him perform consistently throughout that period. His familiarity with RR systems makes him valuable beyond raw stats here.
He formed a lethal partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Sunrisers previously. The IPL Team gets that same intelligent bowling paired with Jofra Archer now. Sandeep Sharma brings smart bowling variations that younger pacers haven’t developed yet.
His IPL Price Details
His IPL Price for 2026 stands at ₹4 Crore currently. That’s a fair salary for someone with 114 IPL wickets consistently! The money reflects his value as an experienced bowling option rather than a flashy prospect.
This stayed unchanged showing the squad values consistency over excitement. His average of 26.33 across 104 matches justified this steady salary. This makes complete sense for a reliable wicket-taker with a decade of experience.
Compare his salary to that of younger Indian pacers earning similar amounts recently though. Sandeep Sharma’s longevity and consistency justify every rupee of this skit. This accounts for his swinging abilities and smart game awareness equally.
Career Journey and Playing Style
Sandeep Sharma grabbed four wickets in the 2012 U19 World Cup final heroically. He became the joint-highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps in that tournament! His first IPL contract came with Kings XI Punjab ahead of 2013.
His 17 wickets in the 2017 IPL season remain his career-best performance individually. His 4/20 best figures show he can destroy batting lineups sometimes. He swings the ball both ways while adding smart variations throughout.
His ability to bowl at any stage makes captains trust him completely. He enters this season as the experienced backbone of their pace attack. Expect him to deliver those crucial powerplay and middle-over wickets regularly.
