Jammu, Feb 15: Becoming the youngest and the only J&K cricketer to take 10 wickets in the debut Ranji Trophy match, with 5 wickets in each innings, enabling J&K to defeat Pondicherry in a thrilling contest, 20-year-old Vanshaj Sharma, a talented left-arm spinner of Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has announced his First-Class debut with a bang.
“Born on 11-08-2003, Vanshaj is a find of JKCA Talent Hunt-2022 and was selected in the U-19 category, however, due to unfortunate injury, he could not play for the U-19 team. Seeing tremendous potential in him, he was picked up by the Senior Men Selection Committee to represent JKCA in the U-25 category and made his debut for the season 2022-23,” said Brig Anil Gupta, Member-Administration JKCA.
He added that Vanshaj impressed the selectors as well as coaches with his fine performance during the season with a haul of 22 wickets including a 5-wicket haul against Odisha, adding he was again picked up for U-23 team for the season 2023-24 and represented JKCA in all the three formats i.e. U-23 Men’s State A Tournament, Vijay Hazare OD Tournament and Col CK Nayudu Tournament claiming 46 wickets.
“His performance with the red ball in Col CK Nayudu Tournament was not only impressive but consistent and he was among five top wicket takers. Rewarding his consistent performance in the Col CK Nayudu Tournament, the Senior Men Selection Committee chose him to represent the Ranji Trophy team against Pondicherry at Pondicherry known to be a traditional spinning track. Vanshaj Sharma not only justified the faith of the selectors but also won many fans due to his accurate bowling with a record of claiming 5 wickets each in both innings on his debut in the Ranji Trophy,” Brig added.
In a very short span, Vanshaj Sharma has played with tremendous potential and has a long way and many seasons to represent J&K at the highest level.
The Sub-Committee of JKCA wished Vanshaj good luck and hoped that he one day dons the Indian colour.
Dhruv Mahajan, Member Senior Men Selection Committee JKCA while praising Vanshaj stated, “Vanshaj Sharma apart from being a sensational left arm spinner is an excellent fielder. Being tall, he makes perfect use of his height. He is also a decent lower-order batter, capable of holding one end when needed. He is a great asset and has a bright future ahead.”
