On March 30, 2026, Brijesh Sharma made his much-anticipated IPL debut for the Rajasthan Royals against the Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati. The match saw Rajasthan Royals win the toss and opt to bowl first, a strategic decision that set the stage for Sharma’s performance.
Sharma, a 27-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, was bought at his base price of Rs 30 lakh during the IPL 2026 auction. His selection comes on the back of an impressive performance in the 2025 Bengal Pro T20 League, where he finished joint-fifth among the top wicket-takers, claiming 11 wickets in just seven matches.
Prior to his IPL career, Sharma represented Jammu and Kashmir at the Under-19 and Under-25 levels. He moved to Bengal in search of better training opportunities and trained under coach Deepak Punia at Unique Sports Club in Delhi. His journey has been marked by challenges, including financial constraints faced by his family, as his father works as a labourer.
Reflecting on his journey, Sharma stated, “My journey has had its ups and downs; I learnt a great deal about discipline and things I needed to bring to play cricket at a higher level.” He also acknowledged the support of his friends, saying, “My father’s hard work has paid off; my friends supported me financially and emotionally. They believed in me more than I did.”
As Sharma steps onto the field for his debut, the absence of experienced leader MS Dhoni due to injury adds an interesting dynamic to the match. This debut not only marks a significant milestone in Sharma’s career but also highlights the growing talent pool emerging from Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently, the cricketing community is watching closely to see how Sharma performs in this high-stakes environment, which could pave the way for further opportunities in his career. The outcome of this match and Sharma’s performance could have lasting implications for both the player and the teams involved.
