In the T20 cricket and IPL era, Shubham Sharma remains a throwback to a red-ball expert who excels in the longer varieties of the game. Without being part of T20s for more than two years or ever holding an IPL contract, Sharma has created a niche for himself within Indian domestic cricket.
A Quiet But Tenacious Pledge
Madhya Pradesh Ranji Trophy captain Shubham Sharma has quietly accumulated impressive figures in the longer version without the glare of lights or a national team call-up, and continues to stay committed to performing in domestic cricket.
Since his first-class debut ten years ago, Sharma has been performing consistently for MP. He was appointed captain two years back and has become the pillars of MP’s batting strength.
It is a wonderful feeling to have played for so long, and I want to continue performing well in domestic cricket,” Shubham said to ESPNcricinfo after guiding Central Zone to the Duleep Trophy semi-finals.
Unparalleled Ranji Trophy Record
Since the 2021-22 home season, Shubham Sharma has accumulated 2849 runs the highest by any batter in top-level Indian domestic first-class cricket in at least 40 innings.
His nine hundreds during this time are the second-best joint tally, and his average of 52.75 speaks volumes about his consistency. Among these was his game-winning 116 during the final of the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 against Mumbai, as MP won their first title.
Batting Style: Classic Over Flashy
Shubham’s batting style is made for the red ball his late drives and low trigger movement too often lead to comparisons with Wasim Jaffer. He waits patiently, grinding it out, and playing the waiting game, not to be taken in by the high-intensity T20 wave.
“T20s were never my strength. I love grinding it out, constructing an innings, and the hard yards of first-class cricket,” says Sharma.
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Rahul Dravid’s Early Influence
A turning point for Shubham arrived when he was at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) during his Under-16, when he had a session with Rahul Dravid.
“Rahul sir took one of our Under-16 sessions at the NCA,” Shubham said, recalling meeting one of his childhood heroes. “At the time, I asked him a lot of questions about mindset, and he told me things that continue to help me today.
“Back then I was very young. At that age, you are generally scared of a lot of things about the game. So I shared that with Rahul sir. But given his experience, he explained to me that these are all part and parcel of failure. He taught me how to prepare for games, including the mental side of it.”
Missing the India Bus, But Not the Passion
Though most of his MP colleagues such as Rajat Patidar, Avesh Khan, Venkatesh Iyer, and Kuldeep Sen have graduated to the Indian team, Shubham Sharma has so far not featured in the India A team or the Indian team. The last he came close was making it into the 2012 U-19 World Cup probables, but not into the final team.
“It’s a great feeling to have played for this long, and I want to keep doing well in domestic cricket,”
Facing Mohammed Shami – A Lesson in Skill
One of Sharma’s standout learning moments came against Mohammed Shami, whom he faced in both a Ranji Trophy match and a List A game.
“Shami bhai’s backspin and late swing are class. In the Ranji match, he bowled a spell where I couldn’t even rotate strike. It was tough but also a confidence booster.”
In the match against Zimbabwe in the one-day league, Sharma scored 99 under pressure, holding MP’s innings together after they slipped to 2 for 2 while chasing 270.
A Role Model for the Next Generation
Now one of the veteran players in the domestic league, Shubham Sharma also doubles up as mentor to the new generation.
“As a youngster, I was very rigid. I have experienced that many youngsters today are very set in their ways about their game too. But the coaches are very experienced. They have been watching cricket for a long time,” Shubham said. “So the first advice [to the younger players] is that you should always listen to your coaches, and try to apply what they say. Then you will have a chance to grow quickly.” he explains.
Sharma will again be vital for Central Zone as they face West Zone in Thursday’s Duleep Trophy semi-final. As conditions are most probably going to suit patient batting, Shubham’s vintage grit may prove the clincher.
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