Bipul Sharma, born on September 28, 1983, is a professional Indian cricketer known for his left-arm spin bowling and handy middle-order batting. Hailing from Faridabad, Haryana, Bipul has made a significant impact in domestic cricket across all formats of the game.
Bipul began his cricketing journey in 2005 representing Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. However, despite his consistent performances, he failed to score a century or claim a five-wicket haul in his 14 appearances for the team. Seeking a change of fortunes, he made the switch to Himachal Pradesh in 2013.
The move to Himachal Pradesh proved to be a turning point in Bipul’s career. In his debut match for the team, he showcased his batting skills by scoring an unbeaten century. This remarkable start was followed by four consecutive fifty-plus scores in the next five games, establishing him as a valuable middle-order batsman.
Bipul’s talent and potential did not go unnoticed, as he caught the attention of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007. However, his breakthrough opportunity came in 2010 when he was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL). Although not a regular in the playing XI, Bipul was often entrusted with the crucial role of consolidating the innings and containing the opposition’s batting during the middle overs.
Despite being excluded from Kings XI Punjab’s squad for the 2014 season, Bipul’s fortunes took a positive turn when he was selected by the Sunrisers Hyderabad to replace the injured Laxmi Shukla for the 2015 season. In his four appearances for the team, he scored a single run and claimed three important wickets.
Impressed by his performances, Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Bipul in their squad for the 2016 edition of the IPL. This opportunity gave him the chance to further showcase his skills among the elite players in the tournament.
Off the field, Bipul Sharma is regarded as a hardworking and dedicated cricketer. His commitment and perseverance have contributed to his success in domestic cricket, earning him a reputation as a formidable all-rounder.
In terms of statistics, Bipul has played a total of 89 first-class matches, scoring 3,116 runs at an average of 30.15. On the bowling front, he has claimed 134 wickets with his steady left-arm spin. In List A matches, Bipul has amassed 1,212 runs and taken 76 wickets. In the shortest format of the game, he has played 50 T20 matches, scoring 569 runs and picking up 32 wickets.
Bipul Sharma’s journey in the cricketing world reflects determination and resilience. Despite initial setbacks, he defied the odds and carved a niche for himself in the highly competitive arena of Indian cricket. With his abilities as both a useful left-arm spinner and a dependable middle-order batsman, Bipul continues to be an invaluable asset in the domestic cricket scene.
