Brijesh Sharma links up with Jammu & Kashmir team ahead of 2026/27 domestic season
New Delhi, Aug 6
Fast bowler Brijesh Sharma has joined the Jammu and Kashmir squad for the upcoming 2026/27 domestic season. Brijesh hails from Mada town in Udhampur district and came into the limelight after making his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals earlier this year.
Though Brijesh had registered as a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) player for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, he's now all set to turn out for his home state Jammu and Kashmir, the current Ranji Trophy holders.
"Yes, Brijesh Sharma has linked up with the Jammu & Kashmir team for the Ranji Trophy. He's with the team for the preparation camp and has been progressing well," said a well-placed source in the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) to IANS on Thursday.
Recently, Brijesh was named in J&K's list of players who will play practice games against Uttarakhand from August 10-17 at the SK Stadium in Srinagar, with both teams set to report to the city on August 8.
Brijesh played for J&K age-group teams before relocating to Delhi to train under coach Deepak Punia, who was a former pacer in the Ranji Trophy. He earned his IPL contract on the back of a strong showing in the 2025 Bengal Pro T20 League, where he took 11 wickets in seven games for Smashers Malda.
In IPL 2026, Brijesh picked up 14 wickets in 13 games in his debut season for Rajasthan Royals (RR), who acquired him at a base price of Rs 30 lakh despite his not having played senior domestic cricket before the tournament.
Meanwhile, regarding replacements among the Jammu and Kashmir coaching staff, IANS understands that official word is yet to come. With head coach Ajay Sharma around, the side needs replacements for bowling coach P Krishnakumar and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik, who have moved to be coaches at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Former Delhi wicketkeeper-batter Punit Bisht, who was Jammu and Kashmir U23 men's head coach, could be promoted to the senior team coaching staff. A search for a suitable replacement for Krishnakumar, who has played an instrumental role in the side becoming a force to be reckoned with in the red-ball format and in the rise of pacer Auqib Nabi, is still on.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is exactly what Indian cricket needs - players choosing to represent their home states instead of just chasing IPL contracts. J&K's rise in domestic cricket is inspiring. Hope he does well in the Ranji Trophy!
Brijesh's journey from Mada town to IPL is a wonderful story of hard work and determination. His 14 wickets in IPL 2026 proves he's not just another domestic bowler. Playing for J&K will help him develop further. 👏
Very proud moment for Udhampur and the entire region. It's heartening to see how J&K cricket has progressed under good coaching. But worried about the vacant bowling coach position - need someone who can continue the good work with the pacers.
It's interesting to see the development of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir. Brijesh's decision to play for his home state shows loyalty, which is rare in modern sports. His IPL experience will be valuable for the team's success in Ranji Trophy.
One small concern - he was registered with CAB for the IPL auction but chose J&K for domestic cricket. That's completely fine, but just hoping there's no confusion with the NOC or eligibility rules. Otherwise, this is a fantastic addition to the team. 🎉
Cricket clearly brings people together regardless of
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