Four-time IPL champion Karn Sharma announces retirement from all formats Visibly emotional and fighting back tears, Indian leg-spinner Karn Sharma announced his retirement from all formats of competitive cricket following the Kanpur Superstars’ 9-wicket defeat to the Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League Season 4. The 38-year-old confirmed that the reverse fixture against Meerut on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, would be his final professional game, as stated in a press release. Sharma reflected on the UP T20 League and the sudden finality of his long journey, stating, “It is actually a very good initiative. For me and others, it is a good opportunity.” He added, “The message is that... I just want to retire. I will be playing my last game on Tuesday, and I will be retiring from all formats.” When asked if he had a final message, Sharma expressed profound gratitude to the institutions and people who shaped his career. “To all those who supported me, I just want to say thanks,” he said. “My family, the BCCI, Railways, UPCA, Andhra, and all those who have supported me in this journey, I am really grateful. I will be available for coaching and all after this.” Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Sharma rose through the UPCA system, representing the state at the Under-14 level before establishing himself as a domestic heavyweight with Railways. Making his debut in 2007, he captured national attention during the 2012-13 season when he claimed 21 wickets at an average of 19.04 in just three Ranji Trophy matches, earning the BCCI award for the Best Under-25 Cricketer. Following in the footsteps of Praveen Kumar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sharma became the third cricketer from Meerut to make national headlines when Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased him for ₹3.#bcci #sunrisers_hyderabad #up_t20_league #meerut_mavericks #karn_sharma
Karn Sharma calls time on international and Indian domestic career Karn Sharma has officially retired from both international and Indian domestic cricket at the age of 38, marking the end of a career that spanned nearly two decades. The legspinner, who represented India across all three formats, made his final appearance in the UP T20 League on Saturday night following the Kanpur Superstars vs Meerut Mavericks match. He will now focus on coaching and other cricket-related responsibilities after concluding his playing career. Sharma’s international career was brief but notable, with four matches for India in 2014. He made his debut in a Test against Australia, where he was selected ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin for the Adelaide Test. Though he took four wickets in that match, he did not feature in any subsequent international games. His ODI debut came in Kolkata, a match remembered for Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 264, and he later played a T20I against England, dismissing Joe Root in Birmingham. Domestically, Sharma’s career was more extensive. He made his first-class debut for Railways in 2007 and later played for Andhra and Vidarbha before returning to Railways. His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) were particularly impactful, earning him four titles with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings between 2016 and 2018. His IPL career included a stellar 2014 season, where he took 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.42. In total, Sharma played 97 first-class matches, taking 270 wickets and scoring 2866 runs, including two centuries. His Ranji Trophy debut saw him score a century against Jammu & Kashmir. In his retirement announcement, Sharma expressed gratitude to his family, the BCCI, Railways, UPCA, Andhra, Vidarbha Cricket Association, and other supporters.#railways #bcci #up_t20_league #karn_sharma #kanpur_superstars
Madhav Kaushik named Noida Kings captain for UP T20 League 2026 Noida Kings have officially appointed Madhav Kaushik as their captain for the fourth edition of the UP T20 League, set to begin on August 14. The experienced Uttar Pradesh batter, who joined the franchise from the 2024 Meerut Mavericks, brings a wealth of leadership and playing experience to the team. Kaushik’s appointment marks a strategic move for Noida Kings, who aim to compete strongly for the title in the upcoming season. Kaushik’s leadership credentials were solidified during his tenure with Meerut Mavericks, where he captained the team to the 2024 title and guided them to the final in 2025. According to a press release from Noida Kings, his deep understanding of the UP T20 League and domestic cricket will be critical as the franchise seeks to challenge for the championship. His ability to lead under pressure was evident in 2025, when he took charge of Meerut Mavericks in the absence of Rinku Singh, steering the team to a runners-up finish against Kashi Rudras. Kaushik’s performance in the UP T20 League has been consistently impressive since its inception in 2023. In the inaugural season, he scored 350 runs at an average of 61 and a strike rate of 146.99, including three half-centuries. His tally improved to 366 runs in 2024, maintaining his position as one of the league’s top run-scorers. In 2025, he accumulated 286 runs in 13 matches at an average of 31.78, with a strike rate of 139.51 and a highest score of 95 off 31 balls. Across the first three editions of the league, Kaushik has amassed 1,002 runs, establishing himself as one of the most reliable and productive batters in the competition. Beyond the T20 format, Kaushik is a key player for Uttar Pradesh in first-class cricket.#atal_bihari_vajpayee_ekana_cricket_stadium #madhav_kaushik #noida_kings #up_t20_league #meerut_mavericks
