Image Source: RCB
[Saba Sports News] In a remarkable twist of fate, the paths of Himanshu Sharma and Virat Kohli have intriguingly crossed. Sharma made his IPL debut during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans in the 2023 season, a game that saw Kohli score a century, although it was overshadowed by Shubman Gill’s century that led to RCB’s elimination from the tournament. In his second IPL appearance as an Impact Player, Sharma replaced Saurav Chauhan, while Kohli hit his eighth IPL century, contributing to RCB’s total of 183 runs.
Himanshu Sharma, a relative unknown at the time of his debut, left many wondering about his background after his surprise selection. His entry into the IPL spotlight was unexpected; selected during the IPL 2023 auctions for INR 20 lakh by RCB without any significant domestic cricket experience. RCB’s unconventional scouting approach, involving an Artificial Intelligence system known as ‘Hinterland Scouting,’ was revealed as the method behind Sharma’s discovery.
Originating from Sikar, Rajasthan, Sharma had yet to make a mark in domestic cricket, making his selection even more of a surprise.
In his first match against the Gujarat Titans, Sharma, a right-arm wrist spinner, delivered three overs, conceding 28 runs, without any prior experience in Rajasthan’s domestic teams. His selection marked a pioneering moment in cricket, highlighting the potential of technology in scouting talent.
Sharma’s talent and potential have been recognized within the RCB camp, suggesting a promising future that could even lead to national team honors if he continues to perform well.