In a tale straight out of a dream, Udhampur's Brijesh Sharma, son of a humble labourer, has once again etched his name in glory for Jammu and Kashmir. The young cricketing sensation drew unanimous praise from former stars after a match-winning spell with the ball for Rajasthan Royals against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Assam Cricket Association's Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati today.
In a high-stakes IPL clash that kept fans on the edge, Brijesh unleashed pure fire from the outset. Thrust into the attack early, he struck twice in his opening two overs, conceding just 13 runs. First, he foxed Jitesh Sharma with a probing inswinger, trapping the explosive batter LBW to spark wild celebrations. Moments later, he dismissed the dangerous Tim David, who holed out to Shimron Hetmyer at deep mid-wicket off a vicious slower. Though he leaked runs in his third over, Brijesh regrouped to finish with economical figures of 4-0-37-2, proving his mettle under pressure.
Former cricketers showered accolades on social media, hailing his raw talent, composure, and X-factor. "Brijesh Sharma is the real deal—fearless bowling from a J&K gem," tweeted one legend, while another called his spell "a glimpse of India's next big fast-bowling star."
From the dusty fields of Udhampur to the bright lights of the IPL, Brijesh's journey embodies grit and glory. With such promise, he's not just knocking on the doors of the international stage—he's ready to kick them wide open.
Vidhya Bhaskar, the former skipper and esteemed Member of Cricket Operations and Development, described the emerging bowler as a truly exceptional talent—a rare gem who seamlessly weaves deceptive slower balls with blistering genuine quicks, leaving batsmen perpetually guessing and under pressure.
He further noted that the bowler had excelled representing Jammu & Kashmir in the U-25 format before seamlessly transitioning to Bengal, where he has shone in T20 leagues.
Renowned former First-Class cricketer and Chief Selector of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Sarabjeet Singh, hailed Brijesh as a relentless "scalp hunter"—a bowler perpetually famished for wickets and driven by an unquenchable thirst for triumph. He emphasized that every milestone in Brijesh's journey stems from unwavering perseverance, ironclad resilience, and selfless dedication, qualities that have forged him into a beacon of cricketing excellence.
Former first-class cricketer and JKCA senior selector, Dhruv Mahajan hailed Brijesh as a class act when in full flow. "He's an artist at varying pace," he remarked, "bowling slower deliveries with flawless perfection."
"He emphasized that hard work always pays off, noting that Brijesh is a dedicated cricketer and firm believer in rigorous practice."