Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Left Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm legbreak

Country: India

Team: Mumbai Indians

Player profile for Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma is an Indian cricketer who has gained recognition for his abilities as a leg-spin bowler. He is also a handy lower-order batsman. Karn has been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has represented India in limited-overs cricket. Below is a detailed overview of his career and personal life.

Full Name:

Karn Vinod Sharma

Date of Birth:

October 23, 1987

Place of Birth:

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Height:

5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)

Batting Style:

Right-handed

Bowling Style:

Right-arm leg-spin

Role:

Bowler (All-rounder in limited-overs formats)

Domestic Teams:

  • Uttar Pradesh (2007–present)
  • Mumbai Indians (2014–2016) in IPL
  • Royal Challengers Bangalore (2017) in IPL
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018–2020) in IPL
  • Chennai Super Kings (2021–present) in IPL

International Debut:

  • T20I Debut: December 4, 2014, against Sri Lanka
  • ODI Debut: January 19, 2016, against Sri Lanka
  • Test Debut: Has not played Test cricket yet.

Career Highlights:

T20I Career:

  • Karn Sharma made his T20I debut in 2014 against Sri Lanka. He is known for his leg-spin bowling, especially in the shortest format of the game.
  • His ability to bowl in the powerplay and the middle overs has made him a useful option for India in T20Is, although he has not played a significant number of matches at the international level.

ODI Career:

  • Karn Sharma was part of India’s limited-overs squad during their tour of Sri Lanka in 2016.
  • His primary role in the team has been that of a bowler, and he has contributed with important wickets in the few opportunities he has had in ODIs.

IPL Career:

  • Karn Sharma has been a consistent performer in the IPL, especially known for his leg-spin skills. He has played for multiple teams, including Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings.
  • He has been used as a spinner in the middle overs and has the ability to take wickets in pressure situations.
  • Karn has been part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the IPL title multiple times, providing crucial support with the ball.

Key Strengths:

  • Leg-Spin Bowling: Karn Sharma is known for his leg-spin and is considered a useful asset for his teams in limited-overs formats. He bowls a variety of deliveries, including googlies and top-spin balls.
  • Big Match Temperament: He has shown the ability to perform under pressure in big tournaments like the IPL.
  • Versatility: Karn is capable of bowling in the middle overs and can contribute with the bat if needed.

Records and Achievements:

  • Karn Sharma has been a part of some notable IPL victories, including the Mumbai Indians’ title wins. His performance in the IPL has helped him get recognition as a valuable spinner in T20 cricket.
  • He has been used effectively as a bowling option in crucial middle and death overs, even though he hasn’t had long stints with the Indian team.

Playing Style:

  • Bowling: As a leg-spinner, Karn Sharma focuses on flight and deception to outfox the batsmen. His ability to bowl a wide range of deliveries, such as googlies, has made him a valuable option in the T20 format.
  • Batting: Karn is a lower-order batsman who can add valuable runs in limited overs cricket. While not primarily known for his batting, he has shown the ability to contribute when required.

Family and Early Life:

  • Karn Sharma hails from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and comes from a cricket-loving family. His journey to professional cricket was influenced by his early exposure to the sport.
  • He played domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh and gradually made his way into the IPL and the Indian team.

Personal Life:

  • Karn Sharma is relatively private about his personal life but is known for his focus on cricket and fitness.
  • He is often active on social media platforms where he shares updates about his cricketing career and personal experiences.

Notable Achievements:

  • Karn Sharma’s most notable achievement was being part of the Mumbai Indians squad, which won the IPL titles in 2015 and 2017.
  • His performance in the IPL, especially during the middle overs, has earned him a reputation as a reliable spinner.

Challenges:

  • Despite his talent, Karn Sharma has struggled to cement a regular place in India’s international playing XI, especially in limited-overs formats, due to the presence of other established spinners.
  • His career has been somewhat limited in terms of international appearances, with his IPL performances often being the platform where he showcases his abilities.

Future Outlook:

  • Karn Sharma continues to be a valuable asset for his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings. Given the importance of spinners in T20 cricket, he could continue to contribute to his team’s success in the future.
  • As he progresses, Karn Sharma may still have opportunities in domestic and T20 cricket, and could make a return to the national team if the need for a quality leg-spinner arises.

Conclusion:

Karn Sharma is a talented leg-spinner who has had a solid career in the IPL and has represented India in limited-overs cricket. Though his international career has not been as extensive as some other spinners, his performances in the IPL have shown his ability to be a match-winner in the shorter formats. His role as a key spinner for teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings has earned him recognition in domestic and T20 cricket circles.