Four-time IPL winner Karn Sharma has announced his retirement from all formats of competitive cricket at the age of 38. The veteran leg-spinner made the emotional announcement after Kanpur Superstars’ nine-wicket defeat to Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League 2026.
Sharma confirmed that his final professional appearance will come against Meerut on Tuesday, August 25, bringing the curtain down on a career spanning nearly two decades.
Karn Sharma Announces Retirement, Reveals Final Match
Sharma was visibly emotional while confirming his decision after the UP T20 League fixture.
He said the reverse fixture against Meerut on August 25 will be his final game before he retires from all formats of competitive cricket.
“I just want to retire. I will be playing my last game on Tuesday, and I will be retiring from all formats.”
The spinner also thanked his family, the BCCI, Railways, UPCA and Andhra for supporting him throughout his career.
Sharma added that he plans to remain involved in cricket after retirement and will be available for coaching opportunities.
From Domestic Cricket To India Call-Up
Born in Meerut, Sharma came through the UPCA system before establishing himself with Railways in domestic cricket.
He made his first-class debut in 2007 and made a major impact during the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, taking 21 wickets at an average of 19.04 in three matches.
His performances earned him the BCCI award for Best Under-25 Cricketer and helped put him on the national radar.
Sunrisers Hyderabad then bought Sharma for ₹3.75 crore at the 2014 IPL auction, making him the most expensive uncapped player at the time.
He subsequently represented India in one Test, two ODIs and one T20I.
Karn Sharma’s Four IPL Titles
Sharma’s most enduring legacy came in the IPL, where he became a four-time champion.
He won the title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016 before joining Mumbai Indians’ championship-winning side in 2017.
He then won back-to-back titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and 2021.
That run made Sharma one of the few players to win three consecutive IPL titles with three different franchises between 2016 and 2018.
Across his first-class career, Sharma finished with 270 wickets in 97 matches. He also claimed 153 wickets in 123 List A appearances and 168 wickets in 191 T20 matches.
Karn Sharma’s Final Game For Kanpur Superstars
Sharma remained part of the domestic T20 circuit until the final stages of his career.
Kanpur Superstars bought him for ₹23 lakh at the UP T20 League 2026 auction, making him the most expensive player at the auction for the second consecutive season.
After his retirement announcement, Meerut Mavericks captain Rinku Singh praised Sharma’s contribution to Indian cricket and wished him well for the next chapter.
Mavericks opener Swastik Chikara also paid tribute to the veteran spinner, describing the opportunity to share the field with him as special.
Sharma will play his final professional match against Meerut on Tuesday, August 25, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
After nearly 20 years in professional cricket, the four-time IPL champion is now set to begin the next chapter of his career, with coaching among the paths he has indicated he could pursue.