Naveen-ul-Haq To Join RR? 3 Players Who Can Replace Sandeep Sharma In IPL 2025

Anurag Dasgupta

Sandeep Sharma replacements [Source: @LucknowIPLCover/x.com]Sandeep Sharma replacements [Source: @LucknowIPLCover/x.com]

The Rajasthan Royals suffered a massive setback as their star pacer, Sandeep Sharma was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to a fractured finger. He suffered the injury Vs Gujarat Titans and as a result was ruled out of the remainder of the IPL tournament.

He is a vital cog in the RR squad and Sandeep's absence will be felt for the remainder of the IPL. Hence, here are 3 potential replacements RR can target as they need to replace him with another bowler.

1) Naveen-ul-Haq

The former Lucknow Super Giants pacer, Naveen-ul-Haq has wealth of experience in the IPL, and is a genuine wicket-taker, something which the franchise needs at the moment. 

Criterion
Data
Matches17
Dismissals25
Economy9.16

(Naveen IPL stats)

In 17 matches, he has 25 wickets to his name with an economy of 9.16. He often delivered the goods for LSG in the death overs and this is one area RR can solve. Without Sandeep, they don't have a death overs specialist and the arrival of Naveen can change it.

2) Mustafizur Rahman

For some strange reasons, Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh pacer was neglected by the franchises in the auction. Over the last few seasons, he has excelled in every phase of the game. Apart from death overs, the middle phase bowling is also weak for RR and Mustafiz can solve that problem.

Criterion
Data
Matches38
Dismissals38
Economy7.84

(Mustafiz stats in IPL)

In the ongoing season, RR have leaked runs for fun, and the arrival of Mustafiz will help the team since he has an excellent economy rate in the IPL and has brilliant variations, something which the team is lacking at the moment.

3) Navdeep Saini

The former Rajasthan Royals player, Navdeep Saini knows the RR setup inside out and could be an interesting option for the team.

Over the least few years, the Delhi pacer has improved his bowling and could be used up front alongside Jofra Archer. Both Archer and Saini have express pace and that could be utilised to terrorise the batters in the powerplay.