Karn Sharma
Role: All-rounder (Leg-spin Bowler)
DOB: 23 October 1987
IPL Team (2026): Unsold/Retired
Base Price: INR 50 Lakhs (last known for 2023 auction)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 79 | 30 | 13 | 219 | 26* | 12.88 | 199 | 110.05 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 20 |
| 2023 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5* | – | 3 | 166.66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1* | – | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1* | – | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 49 | 19 | 8.16 | 46 | 106.52 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 2014 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 105 | 26* | 17.50 | 92 | 114.13 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| 2013 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 57 | 20* | 19.00 | 53 | 107.54 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 79 | 1614 | 2167 | 69 | 4/16 | 31.40 | 8.06 | 23.39 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 156 | 270 | 10 | 2/22 | 27.00 | 10.38 | 15.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 24 | 56 | 0 | 0/56 | – | 14.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 60 | 105 | 0 | 0/24 | – | 10.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 120 | 160 | 5 | 2/24 | 32.00 | 8.00 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 24 | 40 | 1 | 1/40 | 40.00 | 10.00 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 222 | 317 | 11 | 2/16 | 28.81 | 8.56 | 20.18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 9 | 198 | 230 | 13 | 4/16 | 17.69 | 6.96 | 15.23 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 96 | 149 | 3 | 2/18 | 49.66 | 9.31 | 32.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 11 | 240 | 338 | 6 | 2/29 | 56.33 | 8.45 | 40.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 14 | 336 | 408 | 15 | 3/19 | 27.20 | 7.28 | 22.40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 11 | 194 | 294 | 11 | 2/17 | 26.72 | 9.09 | 17.63 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Karn Sharma
From the dusty grounds of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, emerged a leg-spinner with a quiet demeanor but a fiery arm: Karn Sharma. Making his first-class debut for Railways in 2007, Karn honed his craft, developing a classical leg-break, a deceptive googly, and a decent flipper. It was his consistent domestic performances that caught the eye of IPL scouts, leading to his debut in the league’s sixth season.
Karn’s IPL journey began with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013, where he quickly established himself as a reliable wicket-taker in the middle overs. His breakthrough season came in 2014, where he bagged 15 wickets, showcasing his ability to turn games with crucial breakthroughs and maintain a tight economy. He wasn’t just a bowler; his handy lower-order batting, though infrequent, often provided quick runs when needed, making him a genuine all-rounder in the T20 format.
What truly defines Karn Sharma’s IPL career is his knack for being part of championship-winning squads. He became a sought-after commodity for franchises looking for an experienced leg-spinner who could perform under pressure. His calm presence and ability to deliver in high-stakes matches, particularly during his stints with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, cemented his reputation as a “big match player” and a true IPL veteran.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Karn Sharma’s IPL career is a fascinating tour through some of the league’s most successful franchises:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013-2016): Karn was first picked by SRH for INR 3.75 Crores in the 2014 auction after an impressive debut season. He was a vital cog in their bowling attack, especially in 2013 (11 wickets) and 2014 (15 wickets), forming a potent spin duo with Amit Mishra. He remained with them until 2016, contributing to their maiden title win, though with limited appearances that season.
- Mumbai Indians (2017): In the 2017 auction, MI acquired him for INR 3.2 Crores. This proved to be a masterstroke as Karn had a stellar season, picking up 13 wickets in just 9 matches with an exceptional economy of 6.96. His crucial 4/16 in Qualifier 2 against KKR was instrumental in MI reaching and eventually winning the title.
- Chennai Super Kings (2018-2021): CSK bought Karn for INR 5 Crores in the 2018 mega-auction. He continued his winning streak, playing a significant role in CSK’s title triumph that year, bagging 11 wickets. He remained with CSK for three more seasons, often rotating with other spinners, and adding another IPL trophy to his cabinet in 2021, despite limited game time.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (2022): KKR picked him for his base price of INR 50 Lakhs in the 2022 auction. He played just one match, going wicketless.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (2023): RCB secured his services for INR 50 Lakhs in the 2023 auction. He had a decent comeback season, picking up 10 wickets in 7 matches, showing glimpses of his old form, though his economy was on the higher side.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Karn Sharma represents an experienced, tactical option, particularly in specific match conditions. His primary strength lies in his classical leg-spin, which can be a genuine wicket-taking threat in the middle overs. He’s known for his control and ability to vary his pace and trajectory, making him difficult to score off when he’s in rhythm. He thrives on pitches that offer even a hint of turn, where his googly becomes particularly potent. When the opposition has a top-heavy right-handed batting lineup, Karn’s leg-spin can be a strong bet for wicket-taker props.
However, his effectiveness can diminish on flat, small grounds where batsmen can easily hit through the line. He has, at times, struggled against aggressive left-handers who target his length. His economy rate can fluctuate, especially in recent seasons, making him a riskier bet for ‘economy rate under X’ props on batting-friendly surfaces. Bettors should look for matches on larger grounds or pitches known to assist spinners. His experience in high-pressure situations, especially in playoffs, also makes him a potential dark horse for impactful performances when the stakes are highest, as seen in 2017. Betting on him as a ‘team’s top bowler’ could be viable if he’s the primary leg-spinner on a turning track.
Key Records & Milestones
- One of only a handful of players to have won the IPL title with two different franchises (Mumbai Indians in 2017 and Chennai Super Kings in 2018).
- Part of three IPL winning squads (SRH 2016, MI 2017, CSK 2018, CSK 2021).
- Best bowling figures of 4/16 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2017, a match-winning performance.
- Over 60 IPL wickets, a significant achievement for a leg-spinner in the league.
IPL Season Highlights
Karn Sharma has delivered several impactful seasons throughout his IPL career:
- 2014 (Sunrisers Hyderabad): This was arguably his most prolific season with the ball. Playing all 14 matches, he picked up 15 wickets at an average of 27.20 and an impressive economy of 7.28. He consistently provided breakthroughs and stifled opposition scoring, making him a go-to bowler for SRH.
- 2017 (Mumbai Indians): A career-defining season where he played a pivotal role in MI’s title victory. In just 9 matches, Karn bagged 13 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.69 and an economy of 6.96. His spell of 4/16 in the Qualifier 2 against KKR, dismantling their batting lineup, remains one of his most memorable performances.
- 2018 (Chennai Super Kings): Joining CSK, Karn continued his winning momentum, contributing significantly to their title run. He picked up 11 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 28.81, often bowling crucial overs in the middle and death, demonstrating his versatility and experience.
- 2023 (Royal Challengers Bangalore): After a couple of quiet seasons, Karn showed flashes of his old self with RCB. He played 7 matches and picked up 10 wickets, including a crucial 2/22 against Punjab Kings, proving he still had the ability to trouble batsmen, despite a higher economy rate.