Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth18 June 1965
Age58 (as of 2023)
BirthplaceSaharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
ProfessionFormer cricketer; Cricket coach; Bank Manager (Bank of Baroda)
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
FamilySon - Aviral Sharma; Daughter - Suhani Sharma (Architect); Brothers - Sunil Sharma; N. K. Sharma
Rajkumar Sharma Biography
Rajkumar Sharma is an Indian former cricketer turned coach best known as the first coach of Virat Kohli. A long-time Delhi player and coach, he founded the
Early life and backgroundRajkumar Sharma was born on 18 June 1965 in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He attended St. Mary’s Academy in Saharanpur and later studied at Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College (PGDAV) in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, where he completed a BA (Hons) in Political Science. Sharma’s listed height is approximately 1.7 m (5'7") and his eye and hair colour are both black.
Career
Sharma played domestic cricket for Delhi in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler, he made his first-class debut for Delhi on 13 December 1986 in the Ranji Trophy and appeared in eight first-class matches for the side between 1986 and 1991. He also played three List-A matches during the 1988–89 Wills One-Day Trophy. His final first-class appearance came in January 1991.
After his playing days, Sharma moved into coaching and became well known for his work at grassroots level. He launched the West Delhi Cricket Academy in Paschim Vihar in 1998 and later expanded it with additional branches across Delhi. One of the academy’s earliest enrolments was a young Virat Kohli, who joined in May 1998 at about ten years of age. Sharma described Kohli as hard-working and disciplined from the start and maintained a close, mentor-like relationship with him as Kohli rose through the ranks.
Sharma’s coaching career extended into official roles with Delhi cricket governance. He served as a junior coach and selector with the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) for nearly two decades from 2001 to 2019 and worked with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in various capacities. In 2017 he was appointed coach of the Delhi junior team; under his guidance the side won the CK Nayudu Under-23 Trophy in the 2017–18 season and he promoted several players into senior squads.
His experience also includes a short international stint: in March 2019 Sharma was named head coach of the Malta national team for an ICC qualifying tournament in Spain, where Malta competed in a three-nation triangular T20 series. Domestically, he was appointed Delhi Ranji team bowling coach ahead of the 2019–20 season and then named head coach for the 2020–21 campaign. He was retained as head coach for 2021–22 before later being reassigned as the team’s bowling coach following a disappointing domestic season.
Beyond team roles, Sharma has worked as a cricket analyst for India TV and has been involved in talent identification and development throughout his coaching career.
Public profile
Sharma’s contribution to coaching was formally recognised in 2016 when he received the Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in sports and games; the award was presented by then-President Pranab Mukherjee. He has also been honoured on other occasions, including a memento presented by the Indian Air Force in November 2022.
Sharma’s long association with Virat Kohli has kept him in the public eye. Kohli has publicly described Sharma as a mentor and guiding influence from his earliest playing days. In 2014 Kohli gifted Sharma a Skoda Rapid as a surprise Teacher’s Day present. Sharma was among the guests invited to Kohli’s wedding to Anushka Sharma in December 2017.
He has appeared at high-profile matches and events alongside former students; for example, he attended an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals in May 2023, where he met Kohli before the game and participated in a ceremonial bell-ringing to start the match.
Latest updates
In recent years Sharma has continued to be active in coaching and cricket administration. After his stint with Malta in 2019 and subsequent roles with the Delhi Ranji side, he remained involved with Delhi cricket in coaching and selection roles. During the 2019–2021 period he served as Delhi’s bowling coach and head coach for the Ranji team before being reassigned. He has also remained a visible figure at domestic and IPL fixtures and continues to be acknowledged for his long-term role in developing young talent.
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Recent Work
Named head coach for Malta for a three-nation T20I qualifying tournament in Spain (March 2019).
2019Appointed Delhi Ranji team head coach for the 2020–2021 season; retained ahead of 2021–2022 season before later being named bowling coach.
2020–2021Led the Delhi junior side to the CK Nayudu Under-23 Trophy in 2017–18.
2017–2018Career Highlights
- Played eight first-class matches for Delhi between 1986 and 1991
- Founded West Delhi Cricket Academy in 1998 and expanded it across Delhi
- Mentored Virat Kohli from childhood and remained a long-term coach and guide
- Received the Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in 2016
- Coached the Delhi junior team to the CK Nayudu Under-23 Trophy (2017–18)
- Served as DDCA junior coach and selector for approximately 18 years (2001–2019)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rajkumar Sharma born?
Rajkumar Sharma was born on 18 June 1965.
What is Rajkumar Sharma known for?
Rajkumar Sharma is known for former cricketer; Cricket coach; Bank Manager (Bank of Baroda).
What is Rajkumar Sharma’s marital status?
Rajkumar Sharma's marital status is listed as Married.
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