Karn Sharma

IND
IND
Bowler
Bowler
Karn Sharma

Player Bio

Karn Sharma is a highly talented Indian cricketer who has been making waves in the cricketing world since his debut in 2014. He is an all-rounder who plays as a left-hand batsman and leg-break bowler, making him an essential asset to any team he plays for. With impressive performances both domestically and internationally, Sharma has become a household name in India's cricketing community.

Early Life and Background

Karn Sharma was born on 23rd October 1987 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. As a child, he was fascinated with cricket and would often play with his friends and family. His father noticed his talent early on and encouraged him to pursue cricket seriously. However, Karn's journey to success wasn't easy as he faced many obstacles along the way due to his humble background.

Despite the challenges he faced, Karn continued to work hard, honing his skills and perfecting his technique. He started playing for local clubs before being selected by Railways Cricket Team during the 2007/08 Ranji season.

Rise to Prominence

During the 2012-13 season, Karn made his mark by winning the BCCI award for Best Under-25 cricketer after taking 21 wickets at an average of 19.04 in three Ranji matches, including an eight-wicket innings haul against Rajasthan.

His performance caught the eye of Sunrisers Hyderabad who bought him for Rs 3.75 crore in the IPL auction ahead of the 2014 season - it was the highest amount earned by a domestic uncapped player that year!

Sharma soon became one of Sunrisers Hyderabad's most potent weapons with his impressive bowling skills and clever batting abilities; proving instrumental to their debut semi-final appearance that year.

Cricketing Career

In 2014, Karn Sharma made his international debut for India in a T20 match against England. After impressing on the domestic scene, he was later included in the limited-overs squad for the tour to England.

He debuted in Test cricket during the tour to Australia and picked up four wickets in two innings, including dismissing IPL teammate David Warner twice. Although he only scored eight runs from two innings, his bowling prowess was widely noted.

Sharma's IPL career has been equally impressive. He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 before moving on to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2017, he was signed by Mumbai Indians and helped them win their third IPL title that year.

In the 2018 auction, Chennai Super Kings bought him for ₹5 crores, and he went on to play an important role in helping them win their third IPL title too.

Major Tournaments and Series

Karn Sharma has made some significant contributions in major tournaments throughout his career. In the 2014 season of the Indian Premier League, he played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's journey to the playoffs by taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.60. He was retained by the team for the following season, where he served as their lead spin bowler.

In domestic cricket, Karn Sharma has shone brightly in several tournaments and series. He was named as Railways' captain for their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign in 2021-22. He was also instrumental in Andhra's title-winning campaign in the 2021-22 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he took seven wickets at an average of 18.14.

Playing Role and Skills

Karn Sharma is primarily known for his leg-spin bowling skills but is also a handy lower-order batsman who can play useful innings when needed. As a spinner, he possesses excellent control over his deliveries and often bowls with variations to deceive batsmen.

He doesn't rely on a single type of delivery but instead varies his pace and trajectory to keep batsmen guessing. His ability to bowl tight lines and lengths helps him put the batsmen under pressure. Karn Sharma has a good record in T20 cricket, where he has often been used as a wicket-taking option by his teams.

As a batsman, Karn Sharma is known for his ability to rotate the strike and play risk-free cricket. He may not be the most aggressive hitter of the ball, but he can score runs when required. His best innings with the bat came against South Africa A, He got India A across the line in a nail-biting chase with 39 off 16 at No. 9.

Karn Sharma's tactical awareness and adaptability are some of his biggest strengths. He understands his role within the team and executes it to perfection. He is also comfortable playing under pressure situations and delivering match-winning performances.

Personality and Off-the-Field Persona

Karn Sharma may have had an up-and-down career but remains a valuable asset to any team he represents. His ability to bowl tight lines and take wickets makes him an invaluable asset in limited-overs cricket while his handy lower-order batting adds depth to any team's lineup. With years of experience behind him, Karn Sharma can go on to achieve even greater heights in his career.

Legacy and Impact

Karn Sharma's unique style of bowling and batting has left a mark on the cricket scene. His leg spin and effective wicket-taking abilities make him a valuable asset to any team. He is known for his ability to read the batsman's mind and change his length accordingly, making it difficult for them to score.

Sharma's success in the Indian Premier League has been an inspiration to many aspiring cricketers. He has shown that domestic players can compete alongside international stars, even making himself one of the highest-paid uncapped Indian players in 2014.

In addition, his Test debut against Australia in 2014 was memorable as he dismissed his IPL teammate David Warner twice in two innings. Although he did not play many Tests after that, his contribution was significant.

Overall, Karn Sharma has left a lasting impression on cricket lovers worldwide with his unique skills.

Recognition and Awards

Karn Sharma won the BCCI award for Best Under-25 cricketer during the 2012-13 season. In addition, he was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad's winning campaign in their debut IPL season in 2016.

Although he hasn't received many individual accolades yet, his role in various team victories cannot be underestimated. His consistent performances have also earned him a place in India's limited-overs squad.

Karn Sharma is an Indian cricketer who made his name playing for Railways before moving on to bigger stages like the Indian Premier League and international cricket with India.

Sharma is primarily a leg-spinner but can also provide support with the bat when required. His first-class debut saw him score a century which marked him out as one to watch. He made his T20I debut against England on September 7th, 2014 before going on to play ODI cricket as well as Test matches. Although he did not play many Tests, his debut was a memorable one as he dismissed his IPL teammate and Australian opener, David Warner, twice in two innings.

In the IPL, Sharma has been a valuable asset for teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. He played an important role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's journey to the semi-finals in their debut season.

Sharma's consistent performances have earned him a reputation as one of the most valuable uncapped players in India.

Overall, Karn Sharma's unique playing style and consistent performances have made him an integral part of Indian cricket. His legacy will continue to inspire young cricketers for years to come.

FAQs
How many Wickets has Karan Sharma taken in First Class Cricket?
Karn Sharma has taken 230 wickets in First Class cricket.
Has Karn Sharma scored a century in international cricket?
No, Karn Sharma has not scored a century in international cricket yet. However, he did score a century on his first-class debut for Railways against Jammu and Kashmir in 2007/08.
When did Karan Sharma debut for India in international Cricket?
Karn Sharma debuted for India on September 07, 2014, against England in T20I.
How many times has Karan Sharma won the IPL?
Karan Sharma happens to be holder of the unique record for winning the IPL title three years in a row with 3 different teams, With Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, with Mumbai Indians in 2017 and then with Chennai Super Kings in 2018.
What is Karan Sharma's bowling style?
Karan Sharma is a spinner who bowls variations in his spell but he is well known for his Leg break Googly.