JAMMU: Brijesh Sharma, a 27-year-old fast bowler from Dandial area of Udhampur, was picked by Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakh at the TATA IPL Auction held in Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone in his cricketing journey.
Brijesh groomed his talent under the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) and represented the Union Territory in Under-19 and Under-25 national tournaments. In search of wider exposure and better opportunities, he later moved outside the UT and is currently featuring in the Bengal Pro T20 League.
He began his professional career in Jammu and Kashmir before playing for Unique Sports Club in Delhi and subsequently shifting to Bengal, where he played domestic cricket under the guidance of former India captain Sourav Ganguly.
Brijesh completed his schooling up to Class 12 in Udhampur and later left college to pursue cricket full-time. He comes from a humble background—his father, Kapoor Chand Sharma, works as a labourer, while his mother, a former Class-IV school employee, is now a homemaker. He has an elder brother employed in the private sector and a younger sister who is a student.
Despite his rise to the IPL, Brijesh remains grounded and has set his sights on giving back to his roots. He said his long-term goal is to help develop cricket infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir to create better opportunities for aspiring players.
Brijesh has previously played alongside IPL stars Umran Malik and Abdul Samad and featured in several tournaments, including the Bijbehara Premier League. His selection in the IPL, along with Auqib Nabi’s historic buy, marks a proud and inspiring moment for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
