Mohit Sharma (born 23 December 1991) is an Indian professional cricketer who plays as a right‑arm fast‑medium bowler. He has represented Delhi in domestic cricket and has played for the Indian national team in limited‑overs formats. Sharma is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his energetic fielding.
Early life and background
- Full name: Mohit Kishore Sharma
- Born: 23 December 1991, Delhi, India
- Education: Attended Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram; later pursued a degree in commerce at Delhi University.
- Introduction to cricket: Started playing cricket at the age of nine, representing his school and later the Delhi under‑16 and under‑19 teams.
Domestic career
| Season | Team | Competition | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009‑10 | Delhi | Ranji Trophy (First‑class) | Made debut against Punjab, taking 3/45. |
| 2010‑11 | Delhi | Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A) | 5/28 against Services, earning Player of the Match. |
| 2012‑13 | Delhi | Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) | Leading wicket‑taker for Delhi with 14 wickets. |
| 2014‑15 | Delhi Capitals | Indian Premier League (IPL) | Bought for INR 2 crore; took 12 wickets in 10 matches. |
| 2018‑19 | Rajasthan Royals | IPL | Notable performances include 4/27 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. |
- Bowling style: Right‑arm fast‑medium, clocked up to 138 km/h. Known for a disciplined line and length, especially effective with the new ball.
International career
- ODI debut: 13 June 2013 vs. England, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
- Figures: 3/47 in 9 overs; contributed to India's narrow victory.
- T20I debut: 30 July 2013 vs. Zimbabwe, at Harare Sports Club.
- Figures: 2/19 in 4 overs; earned Man of the Match.
Key series:
- 2013 West Indies tour: Played 4 ODIs, taking 7 wickets at an average of 28.57.
- 2014 Asia Cup: Featured in 3 matches, claimed 5 wickets, including a crucial 3/36 against Sri Lanka.
His last appearance for India came in a T20I against Sri Lanka in November 2015. Since then, Sharma has been a regular feature in India A and domestic circuits but has not been recalled to the senior national side.
Playing style and strengths
- Swing: Effective both in conventional and reverse swing, especially with a seamed ball.
- Variations: Utilises slower ball, cutter, and yorker effectively in limited‑overs cricket.
- Fielding: Agile in the outfield, known for taking spectacular catches.
- Fitness: Maintains a disciplined fitness regimen, credited with his longevity in fast bowling.
Personal life
- Family: Son of Kishore Sharma, a former club‑level cricketer.
- Marital status: Married to Neha Sharma (née Singh) in December 2018; the couple has a daughter, Aanya, born in 2020.
- Philanthropy: Founder of the Mohit Sharma Cricket Academy in Delhi (established 2021) which offers free coaching to under‑privileged children.
Awards and recognitions
- 2013: Man of the Series in the India A tour of England (limited‑overs).
- 2015: Emerging Player of the Year – Delhi Cricket Association.
- 2022: Best Fast Bowler – Vijay Hazare Trophy (joint award).
See also
- [List of India ODI cricketers]
- [Delhi Capitals]
- [Indian Premier League]
- [Fast bowlers in Indian cricket]
References
- ESPNcricinfo. “Mohit Sharma profile.” Accessed March 2024.
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “Player statistics – Mohit Sharma.” Official website.
- The Hindu. “Mohit Sharma’s rise in domestic cricket,” 12 February 2020.
- Delhi Cricket Association Annual Report 2022–23.
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