Pushkar Shivkumar Sharma, is a Kenyan cricketer,[1] formerly captained the Mumbai Under-16 team and currently represents the Kenya national cricket team,[2] sponsored by IndiaFirst Life Insurance.[3] He is also the brand ambassador for IndiaFirst Life Insurance headquartered in Mumbai, India.
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 12 October 2000 Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Narayan, Cricketer Pushkar Sharma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Left-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Left-arm medium-fast | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | All-rounder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ODI shirt no. | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T20I debut (cap 43) | 17 November 2022 v Saint Helena | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last T20I | 24 October 2024 v Zimbabwe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T20I shirt no. | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 23 October 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic career
editMumbai (India) 2014-15
Pushkar Sharma captained the Mumbai Under-16 team during the 2014-15 season,[4] with Prithvi Shaw playing under his leadership. Additionally, Pushkar Sharma trained alongside Arjun Tendulkar in the Mumbai Under-16 probables squad.[5]
Pushkar Sharma and Yashaswi Jaiswal played together in the Mumbai Under-16 camp.
Uganda Cricket Series (Uganda)2024
Pushkar Sharma starred for Kutchi Tigers CC in the UCA National Premier League - 2024, claiming 3 wickets and scoring 35 runs to secure victory on April 14, 2024, earning the Man of the Match award.[6]
Npca Super Division 50 Over League (Kenya)
2021
In the 2021 Nairobi Province Cricket Association (NPCA) 50 overs Super League, batsman Pushkar Sharma emerged as the top scorer, amassing 841 runs in just 14 innings, including four centuries and a three half-century to his name. he was awarded Best Batsman of the tournament.
2023
In 2023, his total score in the NPCA league was 730 runs, making him the second-highest run scorer in the league.
On September 3, 2023, Pushkar scored 103 runs against the Stray Lions A Team and 67 runs in 60 balls with 8 boundaries against the SwaminBapa A team.
2024
On 23 June 2024, Pushkar Sharma scored 49 runs in 41 balls against Nairobi Gymkhana A Team, and on 30 June 2024, he scored 135 runs in 93 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes against Stray Lions A Team.[7]
Npca T20 League (Kenya) 2024
On February 11, 2024, Pushkar Sharma scored 74 runs against Swamibapa Sports Club in the Nairobi Province Cricket Association (NPCA) league.[8]
On 17 February, Pushkar Sharma scored 51 runs against Kanbis Sports Club,[9] he continued his form on 18 February, scoring 68 runs against SCLPS,[10] to achieve a feat by of three consecutive half-centuries.
Pushkar Sharma scored 319 runs in 6 matches, finishing as the top scorer for Ruaraka Sports Club and securing the 4th position in the NPCA T20 league.
Ghanshyam T10 (Kenya) 2024
In the Ghanshyam T10 tournament, Pushkar Sharma captained the Ghanshyam Mavericks. Sharma scored 26 runs off 13 balls, including 2 sixes, while Janeman Malan added 50 runs off 19 balls with 4 sixes. They successfully chased a target of 130 runs in 10 overs against the Mahadev Strikers on 16 June 2024.[11]
International career
editHe made his debut opening batting for Kenya in the 2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers, sharing the opening partnership with Collins Obuya.[12]
In his debut match on November 17, 2022, Pushkar Sharma achieved an unbeaten score of 15* against Saint Helena.
In the fourth match against Seychelles, Kenya won by 7 wickets. Pushkar scored 33 runs, the highest in the match, which included 5 fours and 1 six for the Kenya team.
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier (2022-23)
In November 2023, he played his first match in the 2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier against Rwanda. He took his debut wicket against Rwanda, claiming 1 wicket for 19 runs in his 4 overs.[13] In the second match against Nigeria, he claimed 1 wicket for 15 runs in 3 overs.[14] In the third match against Tanzania, Pushkar scored an unbeaten 32 runs in a 17-balls.[15] Wrapping up the qualifiers, Pushkar contributed 21 runs against Zimbabwe, only to be dismissed by a stumping off Sikandar Raza bowling.[16]
Nigeria Tour of Kenya (2024)
On 15 July 2024, Pushkar Sharma quick-fired 39 runs off 21 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes, for Kenya in the second match against Nigeria.[17]against
2024 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League (Kenya)
Pushkar Sharma has been selected to represent Kenya in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League 2024, where he emerged as a key player for the national team. He scored his maiden fifty against Denmark, making 60 runs off 75 balls, and followed that performance with 50 runs from 45 balls against Kuwait.
Finishing as Kenya's second top scorer and fifth overall in the league, he accumulated 195 runs in 5 matches, averaging 39.00, with additional contributions of 35 runs against Qatar and 39 runs against Papua New Guinea.[18]
2024 ICC Men's T20 Africa World Cup Sub Regional Qualiier B (Kenya)
Pushkar Sharma has been selected to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Africa World Cup Sub Regional Qualiier B, which is set to take place in Kenya. The tournament is part of the qualification pathway for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Pushkar Sharma scored 43 runs in a match against Gambia during this league.[19] In the final match against Zimbabwe, Pushkar took the wicket of Sikandar Raza.[20]
Kenya finished as the runner-up, while Zimbabwe emerged as the winner of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Africa World Cup Sub Regional Qualiier B.[21]
Early life
editPushkar Sharma, originally from India, began his cricket journey at Al Barkaat School, a hub for budding cricketers, where he developed his skills and even captained Mumbai Under-16 cricket team. During his time in Mumbai, Sharma played alongside notable talents such as Prithvi Shaw, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Agni Chopra, Tanush Kotian, Prasant Solanki and Arjun Tendulkar,[22] which contributed to his growth as a player.
In 2018, he moved to Kenya and joined Ruaraka Sports Club, performing strongly in Nairobi cricket circuit. Sharma standout performances in Kenya NPCA Super League, where he became the top scorer with 841 runs in 14 innings, helped establish his reputation. This dedication and skill led to his selection for Kenya national cricket team in 2022,[23] fulfilling his goal of representing his adopted country on the international stage.[24]
Biography
editPushkar Sharma married Sita Sharma on December 7, 2023.[25] He currently resides in Nairobi, Kenya, and works as a marketing manager for Hirani Telecommunication Ltd.
Pushkar plays domestic cricket for Ruaraka Sports Club and represents the Kenya national team internationally.
Brand Ambassador
editPushkar Sharma currently serves as the brand ambassador for IndiaFirst Life Insurance.
References
edit- ^ "India-born cricketer Pushkar Sharma to play for his adopted country Kenya". ANI News. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ IANS (27 December 2022). "India-born Cricketer Pushkar Sharma Ready To Represent 'Adopted' Country Kenya". TheQuint. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Chakrabarty, Shreoshree (17 December 2020). "IndiaFirst Life announces sponsorship to Pushkar Sharma's goal". Media Infoline. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Satyam, Ashish (7 February 2023). "Noida To Nairobi: Story Of Pushkar Sharma, Ex-Mumbai U-16 Captain Who Now Represents Kenya". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Kalamegam, Pradeep (11 June 2014). "Arjun Tendulkar included in Mumbai Under-16 probables squad". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "League: Nyakasura CC vs Kutchi Tigers CC - Uganda Cricket Series". cricclubs.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Pushkar Sharma Shines for Ruaraka with Century Against Stray Lions in NPCA Super Div 2024 - Krida News". 1 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Sports, Pulse (12 February 2024). "Stray Lions 'A' floor Kanbis 'A' to maintain unblemished run in NCPA T20 League". Pulse Sports Kenya. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "Kanbis A Team vs Ruaraka A Team Cricket Match Summary and Scoreboard - CricHeroes". cricheroes.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Ruaraka A Team vs SCLPS YL A Team Cricket Match Summary and Scoreboard - CricHeroes". cricheroes.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "MAHADEV STRIKERS vs GHANSHYAM MAVERICKS Cricket Match Summary and Scoreboard - CricHeroes". cricheroes.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "Collins Obuya is like Virat Kohli for us, I opened along with him in Africa T20WC qualifiers: India-Born Kenyan cricketer Pushkar Sharma". cnbctv18.com. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Cricket scorecard - Kenya vs Rwanda, 1st Match, ICC Mens T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ "Cricket scorecard - Kenya vs Nigeria, 4th Match, ICC Mens T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ "kenya vs tanzania cricket - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "KENYA vs ZIM, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023/24, 19th Match at Windhoek, November 30, 2023 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "KENYA vs NGA Cricket Scorecard, 3rd T20I at Nairobi, July 15, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Pushkar Sharma Debut and last played matches in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and other formats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "Kenya down Gambia to keep T20 World Cup dreams alive". Nation. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "KENYA vs ZIM Cricket Scorecard, 14th Match at Nairobi, October 24, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Mohammed, Rama (24 October 2024). "Kenya qualifies for 2025 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa regional finals". The Eastleigh Voice News. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "MCA >>> Under 16 Team for the Year 2014 - 2015". www.mumbaicricket.com. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ TheSportsGrail; Desk, The SportsGrail (26 December 2022). "India-born cricketer Pushkar Sharma to play for his adopted country Kenya". The SportsGrail. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^ Satyam, Ashish (7 February 2023). "Noida To Nairobi: Story Of Pushkar Sharma, Ex-Mumbai U-16 Captain Who Now Represents Kenya". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Grand Celebration as Pushkar Sharma Ties the Knot with Sita Mishra in a Lavish Ceremony - Krida News". 15 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
External links
edit- Pushkar Sharma at ESPNcricinfo
- Pushkar Sharma at Cricbuzz
- Pushkar Sharma at CricHeroes
- Pushkar Sharma at Cricclubs
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