Lucknow, 23 August (H.S.): India leg-spinner Karn Sharma has announced his retirement from cricket. The 38-year-old made the announcement on Saturday night after representing Kanpur Superstars in a match in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League. He will play his final match against Meerut Mavericks on August 25 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sharma said, “I now want to retire.” He expressed his gratitude to his family, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Railways, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), the Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association, the Vidarbha Cricket Association and everyone who supported him throughout his career. He also said that after retirement, he would remain available for coaching and other cricket-related responsibilities.

A native of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Sharma made his international debut across formats in 2014. He represented India in four international matches — one Test, two ODIs and one T20I. He took four wickets in Test cricket and one wicket in T20 internationals, finishing with five international wickets overall.

Sharma enjoyed a highly successful domestic career. Across first-class, List A and T20 cricket, he played 411 matches and claimed 551 wickets. He took 270 wickets in 97 first-class matches, 153 wickets in 123 List A appearances and 168 wickets in 191 T20 matches.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sharma represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru during his career.

Sharma’s retirement marks the end of a long and accomplished career spanning international, domestic and franchise cricket, with his final appearance set to come against Meerut Mavericks in Lucknow on August 25.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar