Veteran leg‑spinner Karn Sharma has announced his retirement from international and Indian domestic cricket, closing a career that spanned nearly two decades.
The 38‑year‑old Railways bowler made the announcement after a UP T20 League match between Kanpur Superstars and Meerut Mavericks, confirming his final game will be played on August 25.
Karn represented India in 1 Test, 2 ODIs, and 1 T20I, making his debut in 2014. His lone Test appearance came against Australia in Adelaide, where he claimed four wickets. He also featured in India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka and a T20I against England.
Despite limited international outings, Karn enjoyed remarkable success in the Indian Premier League, becoming the first player to win three consecutive titles with three different franchises—Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016), Mumbai Indians (2017), and Chennai Super Kings (2018).
His domestic record is extensive: 270 wickets and 2,866 runs in 97 first‑class matches, including 14 five‑wicket hauls; 153 wickets and a century in List A cricket; and 168 wickets in 191 T20 matches, with 83 scalps in 90 IPL appearances.
Reflecting on his journey, Karn expressed gratitude to his family, BCCI, Railways, UPCA, Andhra, and Vidarbha associations. He said he now plans to focus on coaching and cricket‑related responsibilities.
