Veteran leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who represented India in four International matches (one Test, two ODIs, and one T20I) and has also won four IPL trophies,
has announced his retirement from both domestic and international cricket. The 38-year-old Railways bowler made his announcement following the UP T20 League game between Kanpur Superstars and Meerut Mavericks on Saturday night. During his team's final game of the Lucknow leg, he would play his last game on August 25. "I now want to retire. I am extremely grateful to my family, BCCI, Railways, UPCA, Andhra, Vidarbha Cricket Association and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. After this, I will be available for coaching and other responsibilities related to the game of cricket," Karn said while announcing his retirement.
Karn Sharma's Career
During the 2007–08 domestic season, Karn made his first-class, List A, and T20 debuts. At first, he was an all-rounder. His breakthrough came in the 2012–13 season, but he made his Ranji Trophy debut with a century. In three Ranji Trophy games that season, he claimed 21 wickets at an average of 19.04, earning him the BCCI's Best Under-25 Cricketer title. He also received a lucrative IPL deal as a result of his performances.
Karn was the most expensive uncapped Indian player at the 2014 IPL auction when Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased him at INR 3.75 crore. National selectors were impressed by his IPL and domestic cricket exploits, and he was added to India's limited-overs team for the 2014 tour of England. During that visit, Karn made his T20I debut, dismissing Joe Root for India's lone wicket in the tournament.
After that, he was selected for India's ODI tour of Sri Lanka, where he made his debut in the famous match where Rohit Sharma scored 264. Karn did not take any wickets in either of the two ODIs he played in the series. He played his first Test match against Australia in Adelaide later that year. In what turned out to be his only Test match, Karn finished with four wickets after taking two in each innings.
Additionally, it was his last overseas duty. Karn was chosen for India's 2015 limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe, but he was sidelined due to an injury and never made a comeback to the national team.
Karn Sharma's IPL Legacy
Despite having a brief international career, Karn has significant success in the IPL. He became the first player to win three IPL titles in a row with three different teams in 2018. Before winning the trophy with the Mumbai Indians in 2017 and the Chennai Super Kings in 2018, he earned his maiden championship with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. He then went on to win his fourth IPL trophy with CSK in 2021. In 2025, he made his final IPL appearance for the Mumbai Indians. Throughout the 2025–2026 domestic season, he continued to be a member of the Railroads setup across formats.
Karn has a strong domestic record when he retires. He claimed 270 wickets at an average of 27.60 in 97 first-class games, including 14 five-wicket hauls. In 138 innings, he amassed 2,866 runs, including 17 fifties and two hundreds. Karn took 153 wickets in 123 List A games, including three five-wicket hauls. In the format, he also scored six half-centuries and one century.
He has taken 168 wickets in 191 Twenty20 outings, including 83 wickets in 90 IPL games. In T20 cricket, he also scored two fifties. Karn will now focus on coaching and other roles in the game after a career spanning over twenty years.
