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Karn Sharma
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Karn Vinod Sharma (born 23 October 1987) is an Indian cricketer. He plays as an all-rounder for the Railways cricket team. He is a left-hand batsman and leg break bowler. He made his Twenty20 International debut against England in 2014. He made his One Day International debut for India against Sri Lanka on 13 November 2014.[1] He made his Test debut against Australia in Adelaide on 9 December 2014.
Key Information
Domestic career
[edit]He made his first-class debut in 2007/08 Ranji season at Karnail Singh Stadium against Jammu and Kashmir, where he played as a specialist batsman. He scored 120 off 232 balls with 17 boundaries as Railways cricket team won by innings and 88 runs.
In July 2018, he was named in the squad for India Green for the 2018–19 Duleep Trophy.[2] He was the leading wicket-taker for Andhra in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with twelve dismissals in eight matches.[3]
International career
[edit]T20I career
[edit]Karn Sharma made his T20I debut on 7 September 2014 against England.[4]
ODI career
[edit]Karn Sharma made his ODI debut on 13 November 2014 against Sri Lanka. Sadly he had a terrible outing with the ball on debut and he didn't get a chance to bat for the team.
Test career
[edit]Karn Sharma made his Test debut on 9 December 2014 against Australia within a month of his ODI debut. He picked up 4 Wickets in 2 innings and dismissed his IPL teammate David Warner twice in the match. However he managed to score only 8 runs from 2 innings.
Indian Premier League
[edit]He featured for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009.
He was signed up by the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. In a line-up comprising Dale Steyn, Thisara Perera and Amit Mishra, young Sharma was the bowler the opposition batsmen were expected to target.
He responded with a mature performance. His performance against Kings XI Punjab early on in the tournament was ample proof of his potential, as he beat the Kings XI batsmen with his spin.
He fortified an already strong bowling attack with a decent economy rate and was a good foil to Amit Mishra, the senior leg spinner in the side. When he was given the chance also contributed with the bat scoring a stubborn unbeaten 39 when Sunrisers Hyderabad was staring at their first home defeat against Chennai Super Kings.
In 2014 IPL auctions, he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 3.75 crore, in a bidding war with Kings XI Punjab. He was the highest paid uncapped Indian player in IPL 2014.
In 2015, he was retained by the Sunrisers Hyderabad and he plays as the lead spin bowler for the team. After being retained in the team for the 2016 season, he won the 2016 Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In February 2017, he was bought by the Mumbai Indians team for the 2017 Indian Premier League for 3.2 crores.[5] He won the 2017 Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians, he bowled a valuable spell by giving away only 18 runs in 4 overs in the final, he also bowled 12 dot balls in the match.
In January 2018, he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for ₹5 crores in the 2018 IPL auction and subsequently went on to win the title that year and held the unique record for winning IPL title three years in row with 3 different teams.[6] In February 2022, he was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sri Lanka tour of India, 4th ODI: India v Sri Lanka at Kolkata, Nov 13, 2014". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ "Samson picked for India A after passing Yo-Yo test". ESPNcricinfo. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2018/19 - Andhra: Batting and bowling averages". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Yuvraj Singh excluded from India's squad for ODIs against England, Sanju Samson, Karn Sharma selected". DNA India. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
- ^ "List of players sold and unsold at IPL auction 2017". ESPNcricinfo. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
- ^ "List of sold and unsold players". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ^ "IPL 2022 auction: The list of sold and unsold players". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
External links
[edit]- Karn Sharma - ESPNcricinfo
- Karn Sharma's profile page on Wisden
Karn Sharma
View on GrokipediaEarly life and background
Family and upbringing
Karn Vinod Sharma was born on 23 October 1987 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.[1] He grew up in a supportive family environment, with his father, Vinod Sharma, playing a pivotal role in nurturing his early interest in sports.[8] Sharma has a sister named Kritika Sharma.[9] He is married to Nidhi Sharma.[9] Standing at 5 ft 8 in (173 cm), Sharma is a left-handed batsman and a leg-break googly bowler.[1] His hobbies include listening to music and playing table tennis.[10] Born under the zodiac sign Scorpio, he developed an early enthusiasm for cricket in his hometown, which influenced his path toward professional sports.[9]Introduction to cricket
Karn Sharma, born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on 23 October 1987, was introduced to cricket amid the city's longstanding cricketing heritage, which has produced numerous international players and is renowned for its sporting culture.[11] Growing up in this environment, he developed an early interest in the sport, beginning his journey through local opportunities in the region.[1] His progression led to joining the Railways cricket team, where he began training under senior players, marking his entry into a professional pathway.[1] Sharma's playing style evolved during this formative phase, emphasizing right-arm leg-spin bowling with effective googly variations to deceive batsmen, complemented by his role as a lower-order left-handed batsman capable of contributing quick runs.[1]Domestic career
First-class cricket
Karn Sharma made his first-class debut for Railways in the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy against Jammu and Kashmir at Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi from November 3 to 5, 2007, where he contributed 120 runs batting at No. 7 as a specialist lower-order batsman.[2] Over the early years of his career, Sharma transitioned from a batting-focused role to establishing himself as a leg-spinner, refining his bowling while providing useful support with the bat in the lower order.[1] Sharma's breakthrough came in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, where he claimed 21 wickets across three matches at an average of 19.04, earning him the BCCI award for the Best Under-25 cricketer.[1] A standout performance in that season was his 8 for 97 against defending champions Rajasthan, which highlighted his potential and drew attention from IPL scouts.[1] He built on this form in subsequent seasons, achieving his career-best first-class figures of 8 for 38 against Vidarbha in December 2022.[12] Throughout his career, Sharma has secured at least 11 five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket, including notable spells in Ranji Trophy knockout stages such as 6 for 76 against Jammu and Kashmir in a 2022 group match.[13] His bowling has often been decisive in Railways' campaigns, with consistent contributions in multi-day formats emphasizing turn and variation on Indian pitches. As of October 2024, he crossed the milestone of 250 first-class wickets during a Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra.[14] In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, Sharma continued to feature prominently for Railways, captaining in some matches and providing lower-order stability alongside his spin bowling; for instance, he scored 8 runs and took 1 for 51 against Assam in November 2025.[15]Limited-overs domestic cricket
Karn Sharma has established himself as a reliable leg-spinner in India's domestic limited-overs competitions, primarily for Railways, with additional appearances for teams like Vidarbha and Andhra. His bowling has been characterized by tight economy and timely breakthroughs, complemented by useful lower-order batting contributions. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Sharma's career highlights his development as a key all-round asset. He made significant contributions in the 2013-14 edition, including a batting knock of 41 off 36 balls (2 fours, 1 six) against Baroda, helping Railways post 230/9 and secure a 93-run victory to advance to the quarter-finals.[16] Earlier that season, he bowled economically with 0/51 from 12 overs in the semi-final against Bengal, supporting Railways' five-wicket win to reach the final.[17] Building on this form in 2014, he took 3/47 against Madhya Pradesh, demonstrating control in the middle overs ahead of his international call-up.[18] A standout season came in 2018-19, when representing Andhra, he led the wicket-taking charts with 12 dismissals in 8 matches, underscoring his adaptability across teams.[19] Overall, across 116 List A matches, Sharma has claimed 144 wickets at an average of 30.79, an economy rate of 4.76, and a strike rate of 38.7, with best figures of 5/13 and three five-wicket hauls.[1] Sharma's performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have similarly showcased his T20 prowess, often delivering match-defining spells for Railways. In the 2016 edition, captaining Railways, he produced career-best figures of 5/24 in 4 overs against Goa at Vadodara, dismantling their chase and sealing a 49-run win while also top-scoring with 30 runs in the first innings total of 165/8.[20] He maintained consistency in subsequent seasons, taking 5 wickets across 6 matches in 2023 at an average of 37.40 and a strike rate of 23.40.[21] In the 2024-25 tournament, representing Railways in Group D, he secured 5 wickets in 3 matches, including 3/23, contributing to early victories such as a 7-wicket win over Odisha.[22] His domestic T20 record includes over 180 matches, where he has scored 1,544 runs at a strike rate of 125.52, with a highest of 67 and two fifties, often providing quick lower-order impetus.[1] Sharma's limited-overs domestic career reflects a seamless extension of his first-class success, with his googly and variations proving effective in containing aggressive batting line-ups. Recent outings in 2024-25, including economical spells like 0/22 against Odisha, highlight his enduring value in high-pressure T20 scenarios.[8]International career
One Day Internationals
Karn Sharma made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India on November 13, 2014, in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Bowling nine overs, he conceded 64 runs without taking a wicket at an economy rate of 7.11, as India posted a formidable 404/5, led by Rohit Sharma's record 264, to win by 153 runs.[23] In his second and final ODI appearance, on November 16, 2014, in Ranchi, Sharma bowled ten overs for 61 runs, again without a wicket, during Sri Lanka's total of 286/8. India chased the target with three wickets and eight balls to spare, thanks to Virat Kohli's century, securing a 5-0 series whitewash. Sharma did not bat in either match, occupying the lower order.[24] Across his two ODIs, Sharma bowled 19 overs, conceding 125 runs at an economy of 6.58, with one maiden over but no wickets. His selection for the final two matches of the Sri Lanka series came after consistent domestic performances, including 21 wickets in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season at an average of 19.04, which earned him a BCCI Under-25 award.[1][25] Sharma's limited ODI exposure stemmed from intense competition among India's spin options, particularly the established duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who dominated selections in the 50-over format post-2014. Despite occasional domestic resurgence, he received no further ODI call-ups through 2025.Twenty20 Internationals
Karn Sharma made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for India in the one-off match against England on 7 September 2014 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.[26] Selected as a leg-spin option to provide variety in the bowling attack alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, Sharma earned his maiden call-up to the national team earlier that summer following a standout IPL 2014 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he claimed 15 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.42.[25] In the match, Sharma bowled his full quota of four overs, conceding 28 runs for one wicket—an economy of 7.00—with his scalp being England batsman Joe Root, caught after attempting a slog sweep.[26] He did not get an opportunity to bat as India chased 181 but fell short by three runs, finishing at 177 for five, with Shikhar Dhawan top-scoring on 62.[26] This performance marked his only T20I appearance to date, as of November 2025.[1] Sharma's limited international exposure in the T20 format stemmed from stiff competition among India's leg-spinners, including the emergence of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, coupled with his own fluctuating domestic form post-2014.[1] Despite occasional strong showings in IPL and domestic T20 leagues, he was not recalled for further T20I duties, with selectors prioritizing players who demonstrated consistency across formats.[2] Overall, in his solitary T20I, Sharma's career figures stand at one wicket from four overs at an economy of 7.00, without batting contributions.[1]Test cricket
Karn Sharma made his Test debut for India on 9 December 2014 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, becoming the 283rd player to represent the country in the longest format.[27] Selected as a leg-spinner to provide variety in the bowling attack under captain Virat Kohli, Sharma was preferred over more experienced options like Amit Mishra due to his recent white-ball form and potential on bouncy pitches. This opportunity came shortly after his ODI debut, marking a rapid elevation to the Test side amid India's tour of Australia in the 2014–15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.[2] In the match, which Australia won by 48 runs, Sharma had a challenging yet notable debut. Bowling 33 overs in Australia's first innings total of 517/7 declared, he claimed 2 wickets for 143 runs, dismissing opener David Warner for 145—his maiden Test scalp—bowled by a leg-break that turned sharply, and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 55, caught behind after an edged slog sweep.[6][28] His economy of 4.33 reflected the pressure of containing Australia's batsmen on a batsman-friendly surface, where Steven Smith scored an unbeaten 162. With the bat, Sharma scored 4 runs off 8 balls in India's reply of 444, bowled by Peter Siddle while attempting to build partnerships lower down the order.[6][29] Resuming in Australia's second innings of 290/5 declared, Sharma bowled 16 overs to finish with 2/95, removing Chris Rogers for 21 via a catch at slip off a reverse sweep and Warner again for 102, bowled attempting a reverse sweep in a moment of over-aggression after reaching his century.[6][30] His match figures of 4/238 from 49 overs highlighted the demands of Test cricket on a seaming track, where Australia's spinners, led by Nathan Lyon (7/152 in India's second innings collapse to 315 while chasing 364), proved more effective.[6] Batting at No. 10 in the fourth innings, Sharma remained not out on 4 off 20 balls, surviving as India fell short in a bold chase inspired by Kohli's aggressive captaincy.[6][31] Despite showing promise with four wickets, including two against the in-form Warner, Sharma was dropped for the remainder of the series and has not featured in another Test match as of November 2025.[1] His domestic first-class record, with over 250 wickets at an average under 30 for Uttar Pradesh and other teams, underscored his red-ball credentials, but India's preference for pace-heavy attacks abroad and the emergence of other spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin limited further opportunities in the format. The Adelaide appearance remains his only Test outing, encapsulating both the highs of debuting Down Under and the challenges of adapting leg-spin to overseas conditions.[2]IPL career
Team history and auctions
Karn Sharma made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut on 22 April 2009 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), appearing in a single match during the 2009 season against Deccan Chargers at Newlands, Cape Town.[32][4] He remained with RCB as a squad player in subsequent seasons but did not feature prominently until re-entering the auction pool after limited opportunities. Following a strong domestic performance in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, where he took 21 wickets in three matches for Railways, Sharma attracted attention in the 2014 IPL auction.[1] Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured him for ₹3.75 crore, the highest bid for an uncapped domestic player at the time, marking his transition to a more prominent role as a leg-spinner.[1][33] He played for SRH from 2013 to 2016, contributing to their 2016 IPL title win, before being released ahead of the 2017 auction. In the 2017 IPL auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) bought Sharma for ₹3.2 crore, where he played a key role in their championship-winning campaign that year.[33][2] Ahead of the 2018 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquired him for ₹5 crore in the auction, and he remained with the franchise through retentions until 2021, helping them secure IPL titles in 2018 and 2021.[33][34] Released by CSK post-2021, Sharma was picked up by RCB for ₹50 lakh in the 2022 mega-auction, returning to his debut franchise.[34] He stayed with RCB through 2024 as a retained player, evolving from an occasional squad member to a reliable experienced spinner in the middle overs. In the 2025 IPL auction, MI reacquired him for his base uncapped price of ₹50 lakh, marking his second stint with the team.[3][32] Over his IPL career up to 2025, Sharma has appeared in 90 matches across five franchises, primarily as a leg-break bowler providing control and variations in T20 conditions.[3][1] In the 2025 season, he featured in several matches for MI, including encounters against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, continuing his role as a seasoned domestic option.[1]| Year | Team | Auction Price (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | RCB | Base uncapped | Debut season |
| 2013 | SRH | Pre-auction signing | Initial SRH stint |
| 2014 | SRH | 3.75 crore | Mega-auction buy |
| 2015-2016 | SRH | Retained | Title win in 2016 |
| 2017 | MI | 3.2 crore | Auction buy; title win |
| 2018 | CSK | 5 crore | Auction buy |
| 2019-2021 | CSK | Retained | Titles in 2018, 2021 |
| 2022 | RCB | 50 lakh | Mega-auction buy |
| 2023-2024 | RCB | Retained | Continued stint |
| 2025 | MI | 50 lakh | Auction buy; second MI stint |