# Pushkar Sharma (cricketer)

Pushkar Shivkumar Sharma, is a Kenyan cricketer, formerly captained the Mumbai Under-16 team and currently represents the Kenya national cricket team, sponsored by IndiaFirst Life Insurance. He is also the brand ambassador for IndiaFirst Life Insurance headquartered in Mumbai, India. Sharma, an accomplished cricketer, has forged strong ties with several prominent Indian celebrities across Bollywood, sports, and television. His networking skills have helped him build a notable presence both on and off the field. Sharma recently gave an interview on East FM, sharing his journey, challenges, and the support that shaped his career. He spoke about balancing his roles as a fitness and cricketer, his national team selection, and the backing of sponsors like IndiaFirst Life Insurance. Pushkar has also played alongside several international cricketers, including Thisara Perera, Richard Levi, Kevin O'Brien, Owais Shah, Dwayne Smith, and Elton Chigumbura, gaining valuable experience competing with and against top-level players.

## Domestic career

Mumbai (India) 2014-15
Pushkar Sharma captained the Mumbai Under-16 team during the 2014–15 season, leading a squad that included Prithvi Shaw. He was also part of the Mumbai Under-16 probables squad, where he trained alongside Arjun Tendulkar. Additionally, he played with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Mumbai Under-16 camp and was teammates with Tanush Kotian in the Mumbai state team.
Uganda Cricket Series (Uganda)2024
Pushkar Sharma starred for Kutchi Tigers CC in the UCA National Premier League - 2024, claiming 3 wickets and scoring 35 runs to secure victory on 14 April 2024, earning the Man of the Match award.
Npca Super Division 50 Over League (Kenya)
2021
In the 2021 Nairobi Province Cricket Association (NPCA) 50 overs Super League, batsman Pushkar Sharma emerged as the top scorer, amassing 841 runs in just 14 innings, including four centuries and a three half-century to his name. he was awarded Best Batsman of the tournament.
2023
In 2023, his total score in the NPCA league was 730 runs, making him the second-highest run scorer in the league.
On 3 September 2023, Pushkar scored 103 runs against the Stray Lions A Team and 67 runs in 60 balls with 8 boundaries against the SwaminBapa A team.
2024
On 23 June 2024, Pushkar Sharma scored 49 runs in 41 balls against Nairobi Gymkhana A Team, and on 30 June 2024, he scored 135 runs in 93 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes against Stray Lions A Team.
Npca T20 League (Kenya) 2024
On 11 February 2024, Pushkar Sharma scored 74 runs against Swamibapa Sports Club in the Nairobi Province Cricket Association (NPCA) league.
On 17 February, Pushkar Sharma scored 51 runs against Kanbis Sports Club, he continued his form on 18 February, scoring 68 runs against SCLPS, to achieve a feat by of three consecutive half-centuries.
Pushkar Sharma scored 319 runs in 6 matches, finishing as the top scorer for Ruaraka Sports Club and securing the 4th position in the NPCA T20 league.
Ghanshyam T10 (Kenya) 2024
In the Ghanshyam T10 tournament, Pushkar Sharma captained the Ghanshyam Mavericks. Sharma scored 26 runs off 13 balls, including 2 sixes, while Janeman Malan added 50 runs off 19 balls with 4 sixes. They successfully chased a target of 130 runs in 10 overs against the Mahadev Strikers on 16 June 2024.

## International career

He made his debut opening batting for Kenya in the 2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers, sharing the opening partnership with Collins Obuya.
In his debut match on 17 November 2022, Pushkar Sharma achieved an unbeaten score of 15* against Saint Helena.
In the fourth match against Seychelles, Kenya won by 7 wickets. Pushkar scored 33 runs, the highest in the match, which included 5 fours and 1 six for the Kenya team.
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier (2022–23)
In November 2023, he played his first match in the 2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier against Rwanda. He took his debut wicket against Rwanda, claiming 1 wicket for 19 runs in his 4 overs. In the second match against Nigeria, he claimed 1 wicket for 15 runs in 3 overs. In the third match against Tanzania, Pushkar scored an unbeaten 32 runs in a 17-balls. Wrapping up the qualifiers, Pushkar contributed 21 runs against Zimbabwe, only to be dismissed by a stumping off Sikandar Raza bowling.
Nigeria Tour of Kenya (2024)
On 15 July 2024, Pushkar Sharma quick-fired 39 runs off 21 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes, for Kenya in the second match against Nigeria.
2024 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Challenge League (Kenya)
Pushkar Sharma has been selected to represent Kenya in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Challenge League 2024, where he emerged as a key player for the national team. He scored his maiden fifty against Denmark, making 60 runs off 75 balls, and followed that performance with 50 runs from 45 balls against Kuwait.
Finishing as Kenya's second top scorer and fifth overall in the league, he accumulated 195 runs in 5 matches, averaging 39.00, with additional contributions of 35 runs against Qatar and 39 runs against Papua New Guinea.
2024 ICC Men's T20 Africa World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier B (Kenya)
Pushkar Sharma has been selected to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Africa World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier B, which is set to take place in Kenya. The tournament is part of the qualification pathway for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Pushkar Sharma scored 43 runs in a match against Gambia during this league. In the final match against Zimbabwe, Pushkar took the wicket of Sikandar Raza.
Kenya finished as the runner-up, while Zimbabwe emerged as the winner of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Africa World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier B.

## Early life

Pushkar Sharma, originally from India, began his cricket journey at Al Barkaat School, a hub for budding cricketers, where he developed his skills and even captained Mumbai Under-16 cricket team. During his time in Mumbai, Sharma played alongside notable talents such as Prithvi Shaw, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Agni Chopra, Tanush Kotian, Prasant Solanki and Arjun Tendulkar, which contributed to his growth as a player.
In 2019, he moved to Kenya and joined Ruaraka Sports Club, performing strongly in Nairobi cricket circuit. Sharma standout performances in Kenya NPCA Super League, where he became the top scorer with 841 runs in 14 innings, helped establish his reputation. This dedication and skill led to his selection for Kenya national cricket team in 2022, fulfilling his goal of representing his adopted country on the international stage.

## Family

Pushkar Sharma married Sita Sharma on 7 December 2023. On 21 October 2024, Sharma was blessed with his first daughter, named Vidhi Sharma. Pushkar Sharma has two elder sisters: Jyoti Sharma, who is based in Ghaziabad, India, and Nidhi Sharma, who is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

## Biography

He currently resides in Nairobi, Kenya, and works as a marketing manager for Hirani Telecommunication Ltd. Pushkar plays domestic cricket for Ruaraka Sports Club and represents the Kenya national team internationally.

## Brand Ambassador

Pushkar Sharma is currently the brand ambassador for IndiaFirst Life Insurance. He is also associated with several sponsorships, including Optex Opticians Limited, Trintere Eye Care Limited, Sarucha Industries Limited, GS Sports Limited, and M Sports Limited.