Karn Sharma retires from professional cricket at 38: Details here
What's the story
Karn Sharma, the leg-spinner who represented India in one Test, two ODIs, and a T20I, has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket. The 38-year-old Railways bowler announced a UP T20 League match between Kanpur Superstars and Meerut Mavericks. He will play his last match during his team's final game of the Lucknow leg on August 25.
Retirement statement
I now want to retire: Karn
"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," Karn said while announcing his decision.
He also hinted at his future plans in cricket by saying, "After this, I will be available for coaching and other responsibilities related to the game of cricket."
Career highlights
How did it all begin for Karn?
Karn made his First-Class, List A, and T20 debuts in the 2007/08 domestic season as an all-rounder.
He scored a century on his Ranji Trophy debut but rose to prominence in the 2012/13 season by taking 21 wickets at an average of 19.04 in three Ranji matches.
His performance earned him a record ₹3.75 crore IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the 2014 auction, making him the most expensive uncapped Indian player at that time, according to Cricinfo.
International stint
Karn's limited-overs debut came on England tour
Karn's domestic and IPL performances earned him a spot in India's limited-overs squad for the 2014 England tour.
He made his T20I debut on that tour, dismissing Joe Root as his only wicket.
Later, he was picked for India's ODI squad for the 2014 Sri Lanka series at home. He made his debut in the iconic match where Rohit Sharma scored 264.
However, he went wicketless in both ODIs of the series.
Test appearance
Two wickets on Test debut against Australia
Later that year, Karn made his Test debut against Australia in Adelaide, taking two wickets in each innings.
However, this was also his final international assignment as an injury kept him out of the 2015 limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe.
Despite his limited international career, Karn enjoyed great success in the IPL.
In 2018, he became the first player to win three consecutive IPL titles with three different teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016), Mumbai Indians (2017), and Chennai Super Kings (2018), according to Cricinfo.
Domestic achievements
Karn retires with an impressive domestic record
Karn's last IPL appearance was for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2025. He remained part of the Railways setup across formats during the 2025/26 domestic season.
Karn retires with 270 First-Class wickets at an average of 27.60, including 14 five-wicket hauls.
He also scored 2,866 runs in 138 innings with two tons and 17 fifties.
In List A cricket, he took 153 wickets in 123 matches with three fifers and scored one century and six half-centuries.