Veteran pacer Sandeep Sharma has carved a niche for himself in the IPL as one of the most consistent performers, yet his India comeback remains a distant dream. Known for his swing and precision with the new ball, the 32-year-old pacer holds a unique record against one of the world’s best batters—Virat Kohli. Despite Kohli’s legendary run-scoring ability, Sandeep has dismissed him seven times in 18 T20 innings, restricting him to an average of just 18.85.
That’s a remarkable feat for a bowler who has only featured in two T20Is for India but has become an IPL stalwart with 146 wickets in 137 matches at a strike rate of 20.83. However, Sandeep’s consistent IPL numbers haven’t translated into national selection. Speaking to CricTracker, the Rajasthan Royals pacer candidly reflected on his career trajectory, admitting age plays a key role in selection decisions.
“I think I have enough fuel left to play for India. But in our circuit, once you cross 32 or 33, selectors often prefer younger players—and that’s how it should be,” he said.
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Sandeep Sharma acknowledged that, if he were a selector, he too would prioritise emerging pacers like Harshit Rana over himself if their performances were similar.
“A young bowler can give you 5-7 years of service, while a 33-year-old might have only 2-3 years left. Grooming youth makes sense for the team’s future,” he added.
In an exclusive CricTracker chat, Sandeep Sharma reveals MS Dhoni’s advice, talks about Virat Kohli’s IPL wicket, discusses IPL rumors surrounding Sanju Samson, and shares some untold stories.
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Despite his honest assessment, Sandeep remains determined to work hard and stay competitive. He admitted he isn’t “outperforming” the younger lot in the IPL but continues to prepare with the same hunger.
“If someone is clearly outperforming others, that’s different. But if the numbers are close, I’d also pick someone like Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana. The Indian circuit is full of talented fast bowlers right now, and that’s a good sign for Indian cricket,” Sandeep said.
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Sandeep’s humility and realism have earned him respect among cricket fans. While his international comeback seems unlikely, his ability to challenge world-class batters like Kohli proves that his skills remain sharp. For now, he continues to serve as a seasoned campaigner in the IPL, guiding young fast bowlers and leading attacks with precision.
