Anushka Brijmohan Sharma is a batting all-rounder for the Indian cricket team who plays for Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League. She is from Madhya Pradesh, announced her arrival in franchise cricket with a composed 44 off 30 balls on her WPL debut against UP Warriors on January 10, 2026. A day later, on January 11, she contributed a spectacular boundary save in Gujarat Giants’ four-run victory over Delhi Capitals, helping her team start the WPL 2026 season with two consecutive wins.
Born on April 5, 2003, Anushka spent five years grinding through domestic cricket before Gujarat Giants invested ₹45 lakh in her at the WPL 2026 auction. Her debut performance, which included a 103-run partnership with captain Ashleigh Gardner, prompted head coach Michael Klinger to predict she would play for India.
So let us know more about her and what makes her one of the breakout stars of WPL 2026.
Match Performances in WPL 2026
The first two games Anushka played showed different parts of her game. Her first game showed that she could hit well under pressure, and her second game showed that she could field well.
She came in during the fifth over on January 10, 2026, after Beth Mooney was out, with the score at 56 for 2. The situation called for keeping the innings steady against a bowling attack that included Sophie Ecclestone, one of the best spinners in the world. Anushka batted through the middle overs, hitting seven fours and 44 runs off 30 balls before being caught at long-on off Deandra Dottin.
She targeted legspinner Asha Sobhana with sweeps and drove Ecclestone through the covers, showing technical soundness against quality bowling.
The partnership with Ashleigh Gardner added 103 runs for the third wicket. Gardner scored 65 off 41 balls, but the stand’s foundation came from Anushka rotating strike and finding boundaries without taking unnecessary risks. The team finished at 207 for 4, their highest WPL total, and won by 10 runs.
The following day against Delhi Capitals, Anushka did not bat significantly but produced a boundary save by leaping at the edge to stop what appeared to be a six off Jemimah Rodrigues. The save came during a tight chase that ended with a four-run victory off the final ball.
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Domestic Cricket Career of Anushka Brijmohan Sharma
Anushka made her domestic debut for Madhya Pradesh Women against Mumbai Women on March 13, 2021, at the age of 17. Over five years, she played for Central Zone Women, India B Women Under-19, India C Women, India E, and Bundelkhand Bulls Women.
Her domestic statistics showed 244 runs in 10 first-class matches with a highest score of 63 and one half-century. As an all-rounder, she also took nine wickets bowling right-arm medium pace.
The innings that caught attention came in 2023 during the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Trophy, where she scored 80 off 58 balls. Michael Klinger, Daniel Marsh, and Pravin Tambe were among the coaches who watched her play in the domestic T20 finals in Surat.
Even though she had never played for a franchise before, the scouting team found her to be someone who could help at the WPL level by looking at her directly and analyzing data.
WPL 2026 Auction and Gujarat Giants Selection
Three teams wanted Anushka at the WPL 2026 auction, and as an uncapped player, she went for ₹45 lakh. The amount is a mid-level investment, which means that several teams had been following her performances at home. She was immediately slotted into the number three position, a role typically reserved for experienced batters.
Michael Klinger explained the selection was deliberate. The coaching staff had traveled to watch her in domestic tournaments, and analytics had flagged her consistency and pressure handling. For a 22-year-old with no franchise experience, being handed the number three spot on debut showed the trust placed in their assessment.
Coach Reviews and India National Team Potential
Michael Klinger’s review of the game went beyond just giving praise. A coach who has worked with a lot of Australian domestic cricket teams says, “She’s going to be playing for India,” which is a strong endorsement. He said she was a great cricketer with a bright future, focusing on her timing and ability to hit through and over the field.
As captain and an experienced Australian international, Ashleigh Gardner praised Anushka for being brave enough to face off against top bowlers and for keeping her game simple. These evaluations, after only one game, show that they see qualities that go beyond domestic cricket.
Anushka is 22 years old, which is a good age for strong WPL performances to lead to quick selection for India. Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Richa Ghosh are all established players in the middle order, but having more players is always helpful, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up in 2026. If she keeps playing well and making contributions, national selectors will have both domestic and franchise evidence to look at.
The ₹45 lakh auction price and quick placement at number three show that the franchise sees her as a long-term investment rather than someone who can help them right away.
Anushka Brijmohan Sharma Playing Style
Anushka bats right-handed at number three, and in her first game, she was comfortable with both fast and slow balls. She hit a full-face shot through the covers against Sophie Ecclestone, which took skill and confidence. She was out trying to hit a big shot over long-on, which shows that she takes risks when she needs to speed things up.
Her strike rate of about 146 in the first innings shows that she has a balanced approach that works well for the number three spot. Gardner said that she times the ball perfectly and can hit it both through and over the field. After the match, Anushka said she was nervous at first, but she got over it by focusing on her partnerships instead of her own goals.
She is an all-around player who bowls medium pace with her right arm and fields well. She has nine domestic wickets, which shows that she can really bowl, even though she hasn’t had to in the first few matches. The save at the boundary against the Delhi Capitals showed that you are aware of and good at sports, which is useful in more ways than just batting.
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Career Stats and WPL 2026 Performance
Anushka’s domestic first-class record before the WPL 2026 season included 244 runs in 10 matches at an average of 24.4, with a highest score of 63 and one half-century. She also took nine wickets bowling right-arm medium pace. These numbers represent a solid domestic foundation without being exceptional, which is why the WPL auction price of ₹45 lakh reflected potential as much as current performance.
Her first game in the WPL saw her score 44 runs off 30 balls, with seven fours and no sixes. This helped the Gujarat Giants reach a total of 207 for 4 against the UP Warriorz. The innings had a strike rate of about 146, which is perfect for a number three batter who needs to balance scoring with building up.
Anushka didn’t bat much in the second game against the Delhi Capitals on January 11, but she did make a big save at the boundary. The Gujarat Giants won both of their matches, giving them the most points in the WPL 2026 season.
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