Abhay Sharma, a seasoned figure in the realm of cricket, has been appointed as the new coach for the Senior National Men’s Cricket Team of Uganda, the Cricket Cranes. Born on April 30, 1969, in Delhi, India, Sharma’s journey in cricket spans both playing and coaching roles, earning him recognition and respect within the cricketing fraternity.
As a former first-class cricketer, Sharma made notable contributions to teams such as Delhi, Railways, and Rajasthan. His proficiency as a right-handed wicket-keeper batsman saw him clinch victories in prestigious tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, leaving an indelible mark on domestic cricket.
Transitioning seamlessly into coaching, Sharma’s expertise flourished as he assumed leadership roles within the cricketing landscape. His coaching odyssey commenced with a seven-year tenure as the coach of the Railways cricket team, where he honed his skills in nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence.
Armed with coaching certifications acquired from England, Sharma’s prowess as a coach garnered attention on the national stage. He held coaching roles at esteemed institutions such as the National Cricket Academy and India B in the Challenger Trophy. His tenure as the fielding and wicket-keeping coach of India A further solidified his reputation as a premier coach.
Sharma’s influence extended to state teams as well, where he assumed the mantle of head coach for Himachal Pradesh and made significant contributions to the development of emerging cricketers.
The zenith of Sharma’s coaching career arrived when he was named the fielding coach of the Indian national cricket team for the Zimbabwe tour in June 2016, serving under interim head coach Sanjay Bangar.
Now, Sharma embarks on a new chapter in his illustrious career, assuming the role of coach for the Cricket Cranes. With a three-year contract in hand, Sharma’s first assignment will be with the Crickey Cranes at the ICC T20 World Cup.
John Walusimbi, the CEO of the Uganda Cricket Association, emphasized Sharma’s extensive cricketing journey and coaching expertise.
“After a thorough evaluation, we selected 13 candidates, eventually narrowing it down to five finalists, including three from India, one from Europe (Ireland), and one from Africa. Sharma’s 13 years of experience in cricket, coupled with his coaching expertise, earned him the trust and confidence of the board,” he said.
