Brijesh Sharma makes his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2026 opener against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati.
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Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to field in the first match of the season for both the teams.
Who is Brijesh Sharma?
The uncapped right-arm paceman from Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, Brijesh was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for his base price of INR 30 lakhs in the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. He had yet to play professional cricket at the time of his selection, so his call-up was a remarkable bet on potential.
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However, he impressed in the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025. Brijesh, representing Malda Smashers, took 11 wickets in seven matches to finish among the leading wicket takers in the competition.
In search of better opportunities, he moved to Bengal and currently represents the Cricket Association of Bengal. His path was not straightforward. He was earlier part of the Jammu state setup but was dropped, forcing him to work his way back into contention.
This phase proved to be important in shaping his progress. Training under coach Deepak Punia at the Unique Sports Club in Delhi helped him improve his discipline and better understand the demands of cricket at a higher level.
At the age of 27, Brijesh comes from a humble background and his father works as a labourer. His rise was supported by family and friends who stood by him during the difficult times of his career.
Speaking to ANI, Brijesh said, “My journey had its ups and downs, I learned a lot about discipline and the things I needed to bring to play cricket at a higher level.”
He added: “My father’s hard work paid off, my friends supported me financially and emotionally. They believed in me more than I did.”
Now in Guwahati, he will take the field for the first time in the IPL. It’s a big opportunity for the 27-year-old, who will be looking to impress in his very first game at this level.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
30 March 2026 20:04 IST
