Who is Anushka Sharma? A closer look at the young MP all-rounder tipped as one for the future in Indian women’s cricket.
In a short span, Anushka Sharma has emerged as one of India’s most exciting young all-round prospects – blending composure with flair and earning rapid elevation from domestic cricket to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) stage. At just 22 years old, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has already begun turning heads with performances that hint at a bright future on bigger platforms.
Domestic foundation built on balance
Born on April 5, 2003, Anushka began her cricketing journey in Madhya Pradesh, working her way through age-group ranks with consistent performances. She represented Madhya Pradesh across domestic competitions and various developmental teams like India-C Women, India-B U-19, Central Zone Women and Bundelkhand Bulls Women, steadily building a reputation as a dependable middle-order batter and handy medium- pace bowler. Sharma’s breakthrough season in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy played a significant role in elevating her profile – she scored 207 runs and picked up nine wickets in that campaign, showcasing her value as a genuine all-rounder.
Read More: Who is Nandani Sharma, Chandigarh pacer who plays for Delhi Capitals Women?
Learning on world stage: U-19 World Cup
Anushka’s development was accelerated by her time in India’s Under-19 World Cup setup, where she featured as a middle-order batter and seam-bowling all-rounder. During the tournament, she scored 128 runs at an average of 32.00 and also picked up six wickets, underlining her value as a genuine two-skill cricketer.
While she was not the headline star of the squad, the team management consistently relied on her balance, fielding standards and calmness under pressure, especially in tight group games and knockout situations. The experience of competing on a global stage sharpened her tactical awareness and prepared her for the demands of senior and franchise cricket.
WPL breakthrough with Gujarat Giants
Her consistent domestic form earned her a big break at the WPL 2026 auction, where Gujarat Giants (GG) made her one of the most expensive uncapped players. The faith was immediately rewarded. On debut against UP Warriorz, Anushka struck a composed yet aggressive 44 off 30 balls, hitting seven boundaries and stitching together a vital 103-run partnership with Ashleigh Gardner that set up GG’s imposing 207/4. It remains the highest debut score by a Gujarat Giants batter in WPL history. She followed it up with another assured contribution against Delhi Capitals, confirming that she belonged at this level.
Read More: Top 5 young players to watch out for in WPL 2026
Why does Anushka Sharma’s skill set stand out?
What separates Anushka from many young batters is her completeness. She reads the game well, picks gaps with maturity, and is equally comfortable anchoring an innings or accelerating it. With the ball, her medium-pace bowling adds control and variation, giving captains valuable flexibility. Gujarat’s coaching staff has repeatedly highlighted her calm temperament and cricketing intelligence, qualities that tend to define long international careers.
Road ahead: From prospect to international player
With a solid domestic base, U-19 World Cup exposure and a confident entry into the WPL, Anushka Sharma’s trajectory is unmistakably upward. The next step will be consistency, turning promising starts into match-winning seasons. If she continues to refine her bowling and build on her fearless batting, it may not be long before she is pushing hard for a place in the India Women’s team.
Read More: What makes Nadine de Klerk the most fearsome power-hitter in women’s cricket?
