Harpreet Brar IPL 2022 stats: Why is Sandeep Sharma not playing today’s IPL 2022 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings?

Why Sandeep Sharma not playing today: Punjab Kings have made one tactical change to their Playing XI for this match.

During the 60th match of the ongoing 15th season of the Indian Premier League between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis has won the toss and chose to bowl.

“We’ll have a bowl. The trends in the competition suggests that the wickets are getting better, toss isn’t making much of a difference. One side is a bit short, so that’s a factor. Looks a good wicket, just unsure how it will play early on, so just want to have a bowl,” du Plessis told Star Sports at the toss.

Coming on the back of consecutive victories against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers have refrained from making any change to their Playing XI for this match.

Ready for the Battle of the Reds.
🔴🤜🏻🤛🏻#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #Mission2022 #RCB #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/Q5xrUGJJyo

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 13, 2022

Why is Sandeep Sharma not playing vs RCB today?

Having lost yet another toss this season, Punjab Kings captain Mayank Agarwal remained unaffected by the prospect of setting a total in what is a practically a must-win match for them.

“Not a bad toss to lose. Want to put runs on the board and put pressure on them. We have been playing good cricket but it’s been a bit on and off,” Agarwal told Star Sports at the toss.

Unlike the opposition, Kings have made a lone change to their Playing XI for this match. All-rounder Harpreet Brar has replaced pacer Sandeep Sharma for this match. Playing only his third match of the season, Brar has leaked 58 runs in his five IPL 2022 overs without picking any wicket.

Fourth highest wicket-taker against RCB in the history of the IPL, Sharma also possesses of an excellent record against former Bangalore captain Virat Kohli. However, a couple of wickets in the 20 overs that he’s bowled across five matches this season, doesn’t count for great current form for the 28-year old player.

“Harpreet Brar comes in for Sandeep Sharma. Left-arm spinner against them is a good match-up. So, that’s why we have made the change,” Agarwal added.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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