Pushkar Sharma (cricketer)

Pushkar Sharma
Personal information
Born (2000-10-12) 12 October 2000 (age 23)
NicknameNarayan
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingLeft-arm medium-fast
RoleAll-rounder
International information
National side
T20I debut (cap 43)17 November 2022 v Saint Helena
Last T20I16 July 2024 v Nigeria
T20I shirt no.12
Career statistics
Competition T20I
Matches 13
Runs scored 202
Batting average 22.44
100s/50s 0
Top score 39
Balls bowled 68
Wickets 2
Bowling average 40.50
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 15/1
Catches/stumpings 0
Source: Cricinfo, 3 March 2023

Pushkar Shivkumar Sharma, 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.

Domestic career

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Mumbai (India)

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)

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)

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)

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

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He 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.

2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier

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 Raja's 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]

Early life

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Pushkar's cricketing journey began at Al Barkat school, where his exceptional performance contributed significantly to numerous victories for his school team. His outstanding skills on the school cricket stage earned him the honor of leading the U16 team of Mumbai.

After his father passed away, despite the ensuing familial responsibilities, he continued to pursue his passion for cricket.[18]

Biography

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Pushkar Sharma married Sita Sharma on December 7, 2023.[19] 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

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Pushkar Sharma currently serves as the brand ambassador for IndiaFirst Life Insurance.

References

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  1. ^ "India-born cricketer Pushkar Sharma to play for his adopted country Kenya". ANI News. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  2. ^ IANS (27 December 2022). "India-born Cricketer Pushkar Sharma Ready To Represent 'Adopted' Country Kenya". TheQuint. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  3. ^ Chakrabarty, Shreoshree (17 December 2020). "IndiaFirst Life announces sponsorship to Pushkar Sharma's goal". Media Infoline. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Kalamegam, Pradeep (11 June 2014). "Arjun Tendulkar included in Mumbai Under-16 probables squad". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  6. ^ "League: Nyakasura CC vs Kutchi Tigers CC - Uganda Cricket Series". cricclubs.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Pushkar Sharma Shines for Ruaraka with Century Against Stray Lions in NPCA Super Div 2024 - Krida News". 1 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Kanbis A Team vs Ruaraka A Team Cricket Match Summary and Scoreboard - CricHeroes". cricheroes.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Ruaraka A Team vs SCLPS YL A Team Cricket Match Summary and Scoreboard - CricHeroes". cricheroes.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  11. ^ "MAHADEV STRIKERS vs GHANSHYAM MAVERICKS Cricket Match Summary and Scoreboard - CricHeroes". cricheroes.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Cricket scorecard - Kenya vs Rwanda, 1st Match, ICC Mens T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Cricket scorecard - Kenya vs Nigeria, 4th Match, ICC Mens T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  15. ^ "kenya vs tanzania cricket - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "KENYA vs NGA Cricket Scorecard, 3rd T20I at Nairobi, July 15, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Grand Celebration as Pushkar Sharma Ties the Knot with Sita Mishra in a Lavish Ceremony - Krida News". 15 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
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