Pankaj Sharma

Born on the first day of the new millennium, Pankaj Sharma's cricketing journey is nothing short of captivating. Raised in a small town in Punjab, his early years were spent perfecting his skills with a bat carved out of a tree branch and leather balls that bore more scars than memories. Inspired by Indian cricket legends, Pankaj's story began on dusty pitches, where his all-round capabilities first shimmered brightly.

Schooled in cricket academies of regional renown, Pankaj honed an adaptable batting approach that soon became his signature style. His penchant for counter-attacking innings, coupled with a keen eye for gaps, effortlessly propelled him into the limelight. In parallel, he nurtured versatile bowling skills—some say his off-spin deliveries are sorcery, while others marvel at his occasional quickest yorker that seemingly defies physics.

Pankaj burst onto the professional scene with a domestic debut in 2019, playing for Punjab in the ever-challenging Ranji Trophy. His performance in his initial outings, especially a remarkable spell of 5-23 against a formidable Karnataka side, caught the selectors' eyes. But it was his heroic display in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy finals, where he cemented his reputation by scoring a quick-fire 78 and claiming three crucial wickets with a splendidly crafty arm, leading Punjab to a historic victory.

Throughout his career, Pankaj’s matches against the neighbouring rivals, Haryana, have become quite legendary. An intense regional rivalry, it brought out the best in him. Who could forget the nail-biting T20 final in 2022? With the match poised on a knife-edge, Pankaj's composed 37 off 20 balls, partnered with a couple of nerve-wracking wickets, swung the game in Punjab's favour, etching his name into the annals of domestic cricket folklore.

His adaptability with the bat, able to switch between aggression and patience, and his shrewd understanding of bowling in tandem with the game’s demands make him an asset to any team. Critics have often hailed his strategic thinking and crisis management on the field as reminiscent of the greats. His journey, despite no shortage of speed bumps, is one that highlights resilience and an unyielding passion for the game. It's this passion, combined with a knack for rising to big occasions, that has indelibly marked Pankaj Sharma as a rising star in the cricketing world—a player whose story is still being written but already reads like a classic.

Batting Stats

Bowling Stats