Karn Sharma Retires: India Leg-Spinner Announces Retirement From International and Domestic Cricket
Indian all-rounder Karn Sharma, 38, has announced his retirement from all cricket formats today, August 23, 2026. Famous for his unique IPL record of winning three consecutive titles with different teams – Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016), Mumbai Indians (2017), and Chennai Super Kings (2018) – Sharma also played 1 Test, 2 ODIs, and 1 T20I for India.
Indian cricket's seasoned leg-spinner and all-rounder, Karn Sharma, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game today, August 23, 2026, at the age of 38. Sharma, known for his deceptive leg-spin and crucial lower-order hitting, concludes a career spanning over a decade and a half, marked by limited international appearances but significant success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Shubman Gill Completes 3000 Runs in Tests, Achieves Feat During IND vs SL 2nd Test 2026.
Karn Sharma Retires
The Meerut-born cricketer, who turns 39 in October, made the announcement during the ongoing UP T20 League, confirming that his final competitive match will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, representing the Kanpur Superstars against the Meerut Mavericks.
A Brief Stint in Indian Colours
Karn Sharma's international career for India was brief, featuring just four matches across all three formats, all played in 2014. He earned his Twenty20 International cap against England on September 7, 2014, making his One Day International debut on November 13, 2014, against Sri Lanka. His sole Test appearance came against Australia on December 9, 2014.
His international statistics reflect the limited opportunities he received:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| ODI | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 1 | 28 | 1 |
The IPL's Unparalleled Hat-Trick Man
It was in the Indian Premier League where Karn Sharma truly carved out his niche, achieving a remarkable and unprecedented feat. He remains the only cricketer in IPL history to have won three consecutive titles with three different franchises. This incredible run began in 2016 with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He then moved to Mumbai Indians, winning the title with them in 2017, and completed the unique hat-trick by lifting the trophy with Chennai Super Kings in 2018. Sharma also secured a fourth IPL title with Chennai Super Kings in 2021. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando Clash in Heated Altercation After Batter's Dismissal in IND vs SL 2nd Test 2026 (Watch Video).
Karn Sharma's IPL Title Wins:
- 2016: Sunrisers Hyderabad
- 2017: Mumbai Indians
- 2018: Chennai Super Kings
- 2021: Chennai Super Kings
Throughout his IPL journey, Sharma represented several prominent franchises, including an initial stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009. He later returned to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2022-2024 seasons and played for Mumbai Indians in 2025.
Beyond the glitz of the IPL, Sharma was a consistent performer in domestic cricket, representing Railways for a significant part of his career, and also featuring for Vidarbha and Andhra. His retirement marks the end of an impactful journey for an all-rounder who, despite limited national recognition, left an indelible mark on franchise cricket.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2026 01:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).