IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals rope in South Africa pacer Marco Jansen to replace injured Sandeep Sharma
Rajasthan Royals (RR) have roped in South African fast bowler Nandre Burger as a replacement for Sandeep Sharma for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. He joined the 2008 champions for Rs 3.5 crore.
Sandeep injured his finger while trying to stop a powerful drive from Shubman Gill off his own bowling during RR’s home match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Monday, April 28 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
The 31-year-old pacer finished the last eight deliveries of his spell before scans confirmed a fracture.
In 10 matches, Sandeep picked up nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.89. His best figures of 4-0-21-2 came against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 5 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
Burger returns to the Royals
Burger was a part of the Royals in the IPL 2024 where he picked up seven wickets from six matches at an economy rate of 8.52. Overall, the left-arm speedster has accounted for 77 wickets from 69 matches at an economy rate of 7.73.
Burger was earlier ruled out of the SA20 2025 due to injury, after which Beuran Hendricks replaced him in the Joburg Super Kings. He has also played three Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is.
Burger hasn’t played any form of cricket since the ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah in September 2024.
The Royals are already out of contention for a berth in the playoffs. RR are currently languishing at ninth in the table with six points and a net run rate of -0.718.
They will next be up against the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday, May 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
The Super Kings have also been eliminated from the tournament as they keep struggling at the bottom.
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