Former India spinner Piyush Chawla wants Rajasthan Royals (RR) to add experienced pacer Sandeep Sharma ahead of Tushar Deshpande for the IPL 2026 match against the unbeaten Punjab Kings (PBKS). Chawla also supported Brijesh Sharma to retain his place in the team ahead of Deshpande as well.
However, RR will play against PBKS at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Tuesday, April 28. RR have 10 points from 8 matches so far, while PBKS have 13 points from 7 matches.
During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo Timeout, Chawla said: “Sandeep Sharma [should be] back in for sure instead of Brijesh or Tushar. Rest everything is okay because they have been doing well overall. If you see their bowling, it has done a decent job for them and middle order, I don’t think so you need any changes. You have to persist with the same batting order. Their openers are doing a really good job for them, so just one change. I would like to see Sandeep Sharma coming in in place of maybe Tushar because Brijesh has done well for a first-season bowler.”
“I expect Jofra Archer to be a difference maker in the powerplay” – Ian Bishop
During the same discussion, former West Indies player Ian Bishop also backed Jofra Archer to be the key man for RR with the ball in the powerplay as well.
Bishop said: “I expect Jofra Archer to be a difference maker in the powerplay, if he’s as motivated and in as good a rhythm as we saw him against Sunrisers. He was just like so far above everyone else. If that doesn’t work, then you’re gonna have to get more out of a Ravi Bishnoi or a Jadeja. The other guys have to fill in because I thought that was the disappointing thing last match. The other guys did not step up in the way they should have.”
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