Sandeep Sharma Overtakes Harshal Patel in IPL Wickets List During RR vs PBKS 2025

Sandeep Sharma Surpasses Harshal Patel, Becomes 4th Highest Indian Pacer in IPL Wicket Charts

Summary
Rajasthan Royals seamer Sandeep Sharma etched his name deeper into IPL history by overtaking Harshal Patel in the list of most wickets taken by an Indian pacer.
In the match against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur, Sandeep dismissed Marcus Stoinis to move to 140 wickets overall, securing the fourth spot on the all-time Indian pacer wicket-takers list.
His leap in the record books reflects years of consistent performances across franchises, often flying under the radar.
Sandeep’s rise also came during a game where Rajasthan Royals not only defended a massive total but dominated every aspect of play.
With 205 on the board and a clinical bowling effort led by Archer and Sharma, RR registered a 50-run win solidifying their campaign and giving Sandeep his long-deserved spotlight.

Scorecard Summary (IPL 2025 – Match 18)
Rajasthan Royals: 205/4 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 67, Riyan Parag 43*)
Punjab Kings: 155/9 (Nehal Wadhera 62, Glenn Maxwell 30; Jofra Archer 3/25, Sandeep Sharma 2/21)
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 50 runs
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Player of the Match: Riyan Parag

Sandeep Sharma: IPL’s Silent Workhorse Hits Another Milestone

Over the course of IPL’s flashy, star-studded seasons, there are a few names who go about their business with quiet precision and Sandeep Sharma is certainly one of them. In IPL 2025, he crossed a new personal and national landmark by becoming the fourth-highest Indian pacer in IPL history in terms of wickets taken.

Sandeep achieved this feat during Rajasthan Royals’ emphatic win over Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. When he bowled Marcus Stoinis with a classic back-of-a-length delivery that held up off the surface, the 31-year-old not only tilted the game further in RR’s favor, but also surpassed Harshal Patel, moving to 140 IPL wickets. That took him just one clear of Harshal’s 139, placing him behind only Bhuvneshwar Kumar (183), Jasprit Bumrah (165), and Umesh Yadav (144) in the elite list.

Numbers That Tell a Story

What makes Sandeep’s record even more compelling is the journey he’s taken. A consistent performer for years with Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and currently Rajasthan Royals, his bowling style swing with the new ball and clever variations in the death has allowed him to remain relevant even as T20 cricket evolved rapidly.

Unlike Bumrah’s toe-crushing yorkers or Bhuvneshwar’s masterful seam control, Sandeep has banked on cricketing smarts. His wicket of Stoinis was a reflection of exactly that a slow off-cutter that completely outfoxed the batter trying to go aerial. That moment was not only match-defining but legacy-defining for Sandeep.

He’s also one of the few bowlers to have dismissed Virat Kohli more than five times in the IPL, a testament to how underestimated his skill set often is.

Rajasthan’s Night of Redemption at Mullanpur

The stage at Mullanpur was fitting for the milestone. Rajasthan Royals came into the match under pressure, having lost a couple of close games and dealing with inconsistent form from top-order batters. But this game was different from the toss itself.

Batting first, Yashasvi Jaiswal answered critics with a powerful 67 off 45 balls, stitching a key partnership with Sanju Samson. Then came the spark from Riyan Parag, who’s enjoying his most mature IPL season yet. His unbeaten 43 off 25 balls helped push RR beyond the psychological barrier of 200 something no team had achieved before at this venue.

Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel added finishing touches with impactful cameos, and Rajasthan ended at 205/4, setting a stiff target.

Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma: A Tale of Two Eras, One Goal

While Jofra Archer was breathing fire at one end with raw pace, Sandeep was all craft and control. Archer removed Priyansh Arya off the first ball and dismissed Shreyas Iyer soon after. Punjab never recovered from that early blow. Sandeep entered at the right time, in the middle overs, when batters were trying to rebuild and broke their rhythm completely.

His 2/21 in 4 overs not only halted Punjab’s chase but also showed how he complements Rajasthan’s bowling attack. With Theekshana, Hasaranga, and Kartikeya handling the spin department and Archer bringing pace and bounce, Sandeep's role as the reliable seamer who keeps the run-rate in check is pivotal.

Harshal Patel Drops to Fifth as Sandeep Climbs

It’s worth noting that Harshal Patel, despite his Purple Cap-winning season in 2021, has found it harder to maintain consistency over the last couple of years. While he still sits comfortably in fifth place with 139 wickets, the form trajectory seems to favor Sandeep at this point.

Moreover, with Umesh Yadav not part of IPL 2025, Sandeep now has a golden opportunity to chase down that third spot. He needs just five more wickets to go past Umesh and add another feather to his understated yet impactful IPL cap.

What Lies Ahead for Rajasthan Royals and Sandeep Sharma

The Royals’ comfortable 50-run win has rejuvenated their campaign. They now sit comfortably in the top four and have found their ideal rhythm with both bat and ball clicking. If Sandeep continues this form, he could well play a central role in the Royals making a push for the top two.

For Sandeep personally, the milestone is a validation of years of consistency, resilience, and being a team man. His IPL journey has never been about the limelight it’s been about the craft, and Saturday night in Mullanpur was yet another reminder.