Indian leg-spinner Karn Sharma has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the age of 38, bringing an end to a career that included international appearances for India as well as several major achievements in domestic and franchise cricket.
Karn Sharma made his international debut under the captaincy of MS Dhoni and later played both ODI and Test cricket under Virat Kohli. Although he featured in only four international matches for India, his career at the domestic and T20 levels was considerably more successful.
According to reports, Karn Sharma is set to play his final match on August 25 during the ongoing UP T20 League. Following that appearance, the experienced spinner will step away from competitive cricket across all formats.
Karn Sharma to Play His Final Match on August 25
Karn Sharma is expected to take the field for the final time for his team on August 25. After the match, he will officially bring the curtain down on his playing career.
Speaking about his decision, Karn Sharma expressed gratitude to his family, cricket boards, teams and everyone who supported him throughout his journey. He also indicated that retirement from playing cricket does not mean leaving the sport completely.
The experienced spinner said he intends to remain involved in cricket through coaching and other cricket-related responsibilities in the future.
His retirement marks the end of a career that stretched across domestic cricket, international cricket and the Indian Premier League, where he represented several high-profile franchises.
Karn Sharma Played Four International Matches for India
Karn Sharma represented India in four international matches, including one Test, two ODIs and one T20I.
He made his T20I debut for India in 2014 under MS Dhoni. Later that year, he was given opportunities in ODI and Test cricket under Virat Kohli.
However, his international career was brief. After making his final appearance for India in 2014, Karn Sharma did not return to the national team.
Across his four international appearances, the leg-spinner claimed five wickets. Four of those wickets came in Test cricket, while he took one wicket in T20I cricket.
Despite his limited opportunities at the international level, Karn Sharma built an impressive record in domestic cricket and became a familiar name in India’s competitive cricket circuit.
Impressive First-Class and Domestic Cricket Record
Karn Sharma’s biggest contribution came in domestic cricket, where he consistently performed as an experienced leg-spinner.
Across first-class, List A and T20 cricket, he finished with 551 wickets. His first-class record includes 270 wickets from 97 matches.
In List A cricket, Karn Sharma took 153 wickets in 123 matches. He was also highly effective in the shortest format, claiming 168 wickets in 191 T20 matches.
These numbers underline the longevity and consistency of his domestic career, particularly considering the highly competitive nature of Indian cricket.
While his international career never reached the heights that many expected, his performances in domestic competitions and franchise cricket ensured that he remained an important and experienced spin-bowling option for several teams.
Karn Sharma’s Remarkable IPL Trophy Record
One of the most notable achievements of Karn Sharma came in the Indian Premier League.
The leg-spinner achieved a rare feat by winning the IPL title in three consecutive seasons while representing three different teams.
In 2016, he was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad that won the IPL title. The following year, he lifted the trophy with the Mumbai Indians in 2017.
Karn Sharma then completed his remarkable three-year run by winning the IPL again with the Chennai Super Kings in 2018.
Winning the tournament three years in a row with three different franchises is a rare accomplishment and remains one of the most distinctive highlights of his professional career.
Karn Sharma later continued his association with the IPL and represented teams including the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. His final IPL appearance came for Mumbai Indians in 2025.
Also read: Ind vs sl test: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando Clash on the Field in Colombo, Watch Video
A Long Cricket Journey Comes to an End
Karn Sharma‘s career is a reminder that a player’s impact cannot always be measured by international appearances alone. Despite playing only four matches for India, he enjoyed a long and productive career across domestic cricket and the IPL.
His ability to remain competitive across different teams and formats helped him build a reputation as an experienced leg-spinner.
With his final match expected on August 25, Karn Sharma is now preparing to move into the next phase of his cricket journey. His decision to remain available for coaching and other cricket-related responsibilities means his association with the sport is likely to continue even after his playing career comes to an end.
At 38, Karn Sharma leaves competitive cricket with a substantial domestic record, four international appearances and the unique distinction of winning three consecutive IPL titles with three different teams.
Also read: India Wins Mixed Disability Cricket At Lords: India Beat England by 118 Runs at Lord’s
