Brijesh Sharma made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings, and was picked in the XI for the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru today (April 10) - here’s all you need to know about the RR pacer.
Who is Brijesh Sharma, RR pacer who made his IPL debut in 2026?
Bought for INR 30 lakh at the 2026 IPL auction, the 27-year-old Brijesh hails from the Dandial area in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. A right-arm medium pacer, he initially progressed through the state’s U19 and U23 sides, but limited opportunities prompted a move to Delhi in 2023. There, he began training under pacer Deepak Punia, who was previously associated with the Mumbai Indians in 2016.
Punia recalled his first impressions while speaking to The New Indian Express: “When I saw him bowling, I realised he has a quick arm rotation. He was also bowling inswingers.” Under Punia’s guidance, Brijesh began touching speeds of around 140 kmph, but stiff competition in Delhi led him to shift again, this time to Bengal.
In the Bengal T20 League, representing Sabisco Smashers Malda, he picked up 11 wickets from seven matches, finishing joint-fifth among the leading wicket-takers, at an average of 17.82 and an economy rate of 7.74. The performances caught the attention of the Rajasthan Royals, who invited him for trials before signing him at his base price, despite him not having played a professional domestic game.
On debut in Guwahati against CSK, Brijesh impressed immediately. He claimed his first IPL wicket by dismissing Kartik Sharma with a delivery that beat the inside edge, ending with figures of 1-17 in three overs to leave an instant mark. He did not feature in the next two games, but replaced Tushar Deshpande in the XI for the match against RCB on Friday.
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