Indian pacer Sandeep Sharma, known for his ability to swing the ball and deliver in pressure situations, recently revealed a heartwarming behind-the-scenes story from the 2017 IPL season. In an exclusive chat, the right-arm pacer shared how Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta played a key role in ensuring he was rewarded for his match-winning spell against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The Match – PBKS vs RCB, IPL 2017
The incident took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Punjab Kings were defending a modest total of just 138 runs. In what turned out to be a low-scoring thriller, Sandeep Sharma bowled a fiery new-ball spell, dismissing three of the biggest names in world cricket – Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers.
His spell of 3/22 turned the match in Punjab’s favor and handed them a memorable win. However, Axar Patel, who had scored a quickfire 38 runs and picked up three wickets, was initially announced as the Player of the Match.
Sandeep revealed that Preity Zinta, present at the venue, intervened and spoke to the match presenter Ravi Shastri, saying that Sandeep’s spell was the turning point of the match and deserved recognition.
“Preity ma’am told Ravi Shastri that the Player of the Match should be Sandy because he picked three big wickets. And actually, they gave me the award,” Sandeep said.
This special gesture left the pacer overwhelmed as it highlighted the franchise’s appreciation for its players.
Even after receiving the award, Sandeep walked over to Axar Patel and offered him the trophy, acknowledging his brilliant all-round performance. But Axar declined and told him that his three wickets were the real game-changer, without which Punjab would not have been able to defend 138 runs.
“I actually went and offered it to Axar. But he told me that these three wickets were very important. Otherwise, 138 runs wouldn’t have been defended anywhere,” Sandeep recalled.
Sandeep Sharma’s IPL Journey
Sandeep Sharma has been a consistent performer in the IPL since making his debut for Punjab Kings in 2013. Over the years, he has represented Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, and is among the top Indian bowlers with 146 IPL wickets in 137 matches.
In the IPL 2025 season, Sandeep played for Rajasthan Royals, taking 9 wickets in 10 matches before a finger injury ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
This incident perfectly captures the culture of support and recognition within the Punjab Kings camp and highlights Preity Zinta’s involvement and care for her players. It also shows the sportsmanship and respect between teammates, as Sandeep and Axar shared mutual appreciation for each other’s contributions.
