NEW DELHI: For Ravichandran Ashwin, death-overs specialist
Sandeep Sharma
is an unsung hero.
While the spotlight often shines on established batters and star players, performances like Sandeep's on Sunday against Lucknow Super Giants can sometimes go unnoticed.
Sandeep entered the attack in the 14th over, at a point when Lucknow appeared to be in control of the chase, needing 65 runs to win from six overs while chasing the 194-run target set by the Royals in Jaipur.
In his first over, Sandeep conceded only five runs and crucially broke the threatening partnership between KL Rahul (58) and
Nicholas Pooran
(64 not out), dismissing the LSG skipper. He finished with figures of 3-0-22-1.
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During the penultimate over of the game, with Lucknow needing 38 runs from the last two overs, Sandeep kept the pressure on by conceding only 11 runs and came close to taking another wicket.
Ashwin emphasized that a 'bowler for a fight' is often more valuable than just skill alone, and Sandeep proved this point. He had showcased his prowess in the previous season as well, helping the Royals secure a narrow three-run victory against the Chennai Super Kings despite MS Dhoni hitting two sixes in his final over.
"The game is built by perception. Sandeep has been an unsung hero. He stepped up for Prasidh (Krishna) last year," Ashwin said after Rajasthan won by 20 runs.
"He (Sandeep) is a character; it's about the fight they have. A bowler for a fight is way more valuable than a bowler with a skill. There are two bouncers to be used, and that's the only fillip the bowlers have got in this competition," he added.
Ashwin said the pitch behaved differently in the two halves of the game. "It was a wicket of two halves. When we batted first, it stuck in the pitch. Sometimes it is tough...,” he said.
"After the eight-over mark, we felt the wicket was a good one. In our view, we were ten (runs) short. It was a good pitch; it tends to get better here," Ashwin said.
The ace spinner acknowledged that it was a challenging start for him, conceding 15 runs in his first over. However, he emphasised the importance of being adaptable and knowing when to change gears at different stages of the game.
"I went for 12 (runs) off the first ball I bowled. I bowl in different stages of the game. The body is ageing. (It) requires (a) different mindset,” he said.
"I came from a Test series. I went for 15 (runs) in the first over — that was inside the powerplay. The moment that phase of the game is done, I try to shell it away.”
“The next three overs of mine went for 20, and I got a wicket... Most importantly, (it is about) preparing for every single batter in the opposition,” Ashwin added.
(With PTI inputs)
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