Ajay Sharma 2 for 44 in 10 overs vs West Indies 4th Match at Sharjah, Oct 16 1989

Mr. Devotor

Ajay Sharma’s story is one of brilliance, heartbreak, and controversy — a cricketing career that promised so much yet ended in disappointment and scandal. Known as one of India's finest first-class batsmen, Sharma scored over 10,000 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 67.46, making him one of the most prolific run-scorers in Indian domestic cricket history.  Despite his legendary domestic form, Sharma played only one Test match for India — against the West Indies in 1988 — a stat that continues to shock cricket fans to this day. He represented India in 31 ODIs between 1988 and 1993, delivering flashes of brilliance including back-to-back fifties against New Zealand and an unbeaten 59 against Zimbabwe*, his highest ODI score.  A handy left-arm spinner as well, he claimed 15 ODI wickets, including a memorable 3/41 against Australia in Sharjah. But just as he seemed poised for a comeback or greater recognition, his career was marred by the 2000 match-fixing scandal, leading to a life ban from cricket at the age of 36.  In a major twist, Ajay Sharma was cleared by a Delhi district court in 2014, and he has since appealed to the BCCI to lift his ban and let him return to cricket in some form.  This video dives deep into Ajay Sharma’s highs and lows, his unmatched consistency in domestic cricket, and the tragedy of a talent that was never fully embraced on the international stage.  👉 Watch now to relive this compelling chapter of Indian cricket—a story of genius, missed opportunities, and redemption.  Ajay Sharma: 2 important wickets vs. West Indies, 4th Match at Sharjah, Oct 16, 1989  #AjaySharma #IndianCricket #CricketScandals #UnsungHeroes #VintageCricket #CricketHistory #SharjahCricket #BCCI #MatchFixing #CricketDocumentary #FirstClassLegend #CricketIndia

Transcript

00:00In this classic showdown from October 16, 1989, held at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium,

00:07Ajay Sharma rose to the occasion with a spirited all-round display known as one of India's

00:12dependable utility men.

00:14During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ajay Sharma delivered a crucial spell, a returning

00:19figure of 2 for 44 in his full quota of 10 hours, with India defending a modest total

00:25of 211.

00:26The pressure was on, but Ajay Sharma, tidy left arm breaks and smart variations proved

00:31to be the turning point.

00:33He picked up two key West Indies wickets just when the Caribbean chase was gaining momentum.

00:38His spell helped derail the opposition and bundle them out for 174, giving India a memorable

00:4437-run victory.

00:46This performance might not grab the headlines like a 5-wicket haul or a flashy 50, but it

00:51was a vintage.

00:52Ajay Sharma's reliable, disciplined and effective when it mattered most.

00:56Also relive this forgotten gem, watch Ajay Sharma understated brilliance with the ball and

01:01rewind to the days when Sharjah served up drama, flair and unforgettable cricketing moments.

01:07Man at deep backwards square, scarcely moved.

01:08Hold him!

01:09Just hold him!

01:10One swing too often by Malcolm Marshall.

01:14Just one run to Azaruddin at deep cover.

01:1543 balls, two wickets in hand.

01:1943 balls, two wickets in hand.

01:2043 balls, two wickets in hand.

01:26This time he gets that ball away down to fine leg.

01:32Azar has a long chase, the batsmen get two.

01:33Benjamin up to three.

01:39Benjamin up to three.

01:40And it's 161 for eight in the 44th over.

01:42Benjamin up to three.

01:46And it's 161 for eight in the 44th over.

01:53That's down to deep square leg.

02:18Two more.

02:29That's going to be four, and this is a good over from the West Indian point of view.

02:33Seven runs so far.

02:39And he's gone.

02:45As Benjamin came down the wicket.

02:51Well-bold Sharma, 171 for nine.

02:56And India definitely incite their first victory here,

03:04which of course opens this championship up.

03:10Wave.

03:16Go through for one.

03:19And we'll get another one as a result of that overthrow from Haynes.

03:25Well, that isn't going to help the course any further,

03:37because Ajay Sharma is on his way to the pavilion.

03:41Fairly easily taken at mid-wicket.

03:45Short one.

03:46Mistimes it.

03:47Richie Richardson.

03:48I'm sorry.

03:49Ajay Sharma's cricketing story reads like a classic novel, filled with early promise,

04:03brilliance in the middle chapters, and a controversial twist in the end.

04:07He was a giant of the domestic circuit, a run machine for Delhi, who racked up over 10,000

04:13first-class runs at an impressive average of 67.46.

04:17Just imagine a craftman carving masterpiece after masterpiece in the shadows of the national

04:23spotlight, yet never truly invited to the grand stage.

04:27In fact, among all batters with 10,000-plus runs, Ajay Sharma boosted the third-highest

04:33batting average in history, a staggering achievement, and yet he was handed only one test cap, a brief

04:39camo against the West Indies in January 1988.

04:42Although Ajay Sharma's ODI career spanned 31 matches from 1988 to 1993, including a proud

04:48moment when he was part of India's victorious squad in the 1988 Asia Cup, his brightest flashes

04:55in blue came in December 1988 when he struck back-to-back victories against New Zealand.

05:01Those innings consist of brilliance that hinted at a long innings in Indian colours, but consistency

05:07at the international level eluded him.

05:09His top ODI score, a steady 59-not-out, against Zimbabwe in 1993, was another glimpse what might

05:17have been.

05:18With the ball, Ajay Sharma offered useful left-arm spins.

05:21He picked up 15 wickets, including a best-of-three for 41 against Australia, proving that he

05:27was more than just a batting heavyweight.

05:30But like a fine innings cut short by a run-out, Ajay Sharma's career met a harsh ending.

05:35In 2000, at the age of 36, he was handed a life ban after being implicated in the infamous

05:41smash-fixing scandal that shocked the cricketing world.

05:45It was a fall from grace that eclipsed his achievement, leaving fans with a bitter aftertaste.

05:50Years later, in September 2014, a daily district court cleared him of all charges, like a rain-soaked

05:57outfield drawing slowly under late sunshine.

06:00Ajay Sharma now seeks redemption, requesting the BCCI to let him return to the cricketing fold

06:05in administrative or coaching roles.

06:08Ajay Sharma tale is one of contrast, of recording breaking numbers in silence, of lost opportunities

06:13at the top, and of career caught between brilliance and controversy.

06:17A reminder that in cricket, as in life, statistics tell only half the story.

06:22The rest lies in timing, trust, and faith.

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