Karn Vinod Sharma, the talented legspinner from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has made his mark on the cricketing world with his impressive performances in the domestic circuit as well as in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Born on October 23, 1987, Karn Sharma started his cricket journey at a young age and honed his skills playing for Railways in domestic cricket. He made his debut for Railways in 2007 and continued to represent them until 2015. However, it was during the 2012-13 season that he really caught the attention of the cricketing fraternity.
In that season, Karn Sharma was a force to be reckoned with, showcasing his immense talent as a legspinner. He impressed everyone with his exceptional performances, taking 21 wickets in just three Ranji matches at an impressive average of 19.04. The highlight of his first-class career came when he picked up eight wickets in an innings against defending champions Rajasthan.
His consistent performances did not go unnoticed, and he was awarded the prestigious BCCI award for the Best Under-25 cricketer. This recognition was a testament to his hard work and dedication towards the game.
In 2013, Karn Sharma made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad and immediately made an impact. He formed a lethal combination with Amit Mishra, another talented legspinner, and played a key role in Sunrisers’ journey to the semi-finals in their inaugural season. Karn Sharma’s ability to control the game with his accurate bowling and his economy rate of 6.60 was impressive, and he finished the season with 11 wickets in 13 matches.
His performances in the IPL caught the attention of the national selectors, and he received his maiden call-up to the Indian team for the limited-overs tour of England in 2014. Karn Sharma made his international debut in a T20 international, marking the beginning of his journey in the international arena.
Not long after his debut, Karn Sharma showcased his batting skills during India A’s tour of Australia when he played a match-winning knock of 39 off just 16 balls, guiding his team to victory. His ability to contribute with the bat in pressure situations added another dimension to his game.
In 2014, Karn Sharma had another successful IPL season, picking up 15 wickets at an average of 25.06. His performances were instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s success that year.
The following year, he received a maiden Test call-up for the tour of Australia. Although he didn’t get many opportunities in the series, Karn Sharma continued to impress in domestic cricket and for India A against touring teams.
Throughout his career, Karn Sharma has shown tremendous potential and growth as a cricketer. With his accurate leg-spin, composed batting skills, and ability to control the game, he has become a valuable asset for any team he represents.
Karn Sharma’s journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to earning accolades in domestic and international cricket is an inspiring one. He continues to strive for excellence on the cricket field and aims to contribute significantly to the success of the Indian cricket team.
