Is IPL 2025 Witnessing the Arrival of Nandre Burger as Sandeep Sharma's Injury Replacement?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nandre Burger signed as Sandeep Sharma's injury replacement.
- Sandeep ruled out due to a finger fracture.
- Burger previously performed well with RR in IPL 2024.
- RR also signed Lhuan-dre Pretorius as a replacement for Nitish Rana.
- Rana out due to a calf injury.
Jaipur, May 8 (NationPress) The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have announced the signing of Nandre Burger as a replacement for Sandeep Sharma, who is sidelined for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to injury. The franchise confirmed this on Thursday.
The left-arm pacer from South Africa, Burger, previously showcased his skills with RR in IPL 2024, where he took seven wickets across six matches. He has now rejoined the team for a fee of Rs 3.5 crore.
Sandeep, who participated in 10 matches this season, has unfortunately been ruled out after suffering a finger fracture. The injury occurred during RR's encounter against the Gujarat Titans, which they clinched by eight wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium last month. Remarkably, despite the injury, Sandeep completed his four-over spell, recording figures of 1-33, and achieving the best economy rate of any RR bowler that day at 8.25, along with taking the wicket of all-rounder Washington Sundar.
“His courage to continue bowling despite the injury in the last match was commendable, and we all at the franchise wish him a swift and complete recovery,” expressed the franchise.
In his 10 appearances, Sandeep, retained by RR last year for Rs 4 crore, achieved nine wickets with an average of 40.11 and an economy rate of 9.89, primarily focusing on bowling during the middle and death overs.
Earlier today, RR also secured the signing of South African left-handed batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius as a replacement for Nitish Rana, who is out for the rest of IPL 2025 due to a calf injury.
The 19-year-old was notably South Africa’s leading run-scorer at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2024, joining RR at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Although he has yet to debut for South Africa, he has demonstrated significant potential, amassing 911 runs in 33 T20 matches, with a top score of 97.
Rana had been a vital part of the RR lineup this season, contributing 217 runs in 11 matches at an average of 21.70. His season's performance included two half-centuries, highlighted by a match-winning 81 off 36 balls against Chennai Super Kings and a 51 off 28 against Delhi Capitals.
He was substituted by Kunal Singh Rathore for RR's last match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens due to a minor injury, later being ruled out of the tournament.