Fast bowler Brijesh Sharma has joined the Jammu & Kashmir squad for the upcoming 2026-27 domestic cricket season, marking a return to his home state after attracting attention with an impressive debut campaign for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.
A native of Mada town in Udhampur district, Brijesh had registered as a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) player for the IPL 2026 auction. However, he is now set to represent Jammu & Kashmir, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, in domestic cricket.
A source in the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) confirmed that the pacer has joined the team’s preparation camp ahead of the new season.
“Brijesh Sharma has linked up with the Jammu & Kashmir team for the Ranji Trophy. He is attending the preparation camp and has been making good progress,” the source said.
Brijesh has also been included in Jammu & Kashmir’s squad for the practice matches against Uttarakhand, scheduled to be played at SK Stadium, Srinagar, from August 10 to 17. Both teams are expected to assemble in Srinagar on August 8.
The young pacer previously represented Jammu & Kashmir at the age-group level before shifting to Delhi to train under former Ranji Trophy fast bowler Deepak Punia.
He earned his IPL opportunity following an impressive performance in the 2025 Bengal Pro T20 League, where he claimed 11 wickets in seven matches for Smashers Malda.
In his debut IPL season with Rajasthan Royals, Brijesh picked up 14 wickets in 13 matches after being signed at his base price of ₹30 lakh, despite having no senior domestic cricket experience before the tournament.
Meanwhile, changes are also expected in the Jammu & Kashmir coaching setup. While head coach Ajay Sharma continues with the team, bowling coach P. Krishnakumar and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik have moved to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Former Delhi wicketkeeper-batter Punit Bisht, who recently coached Jammu & Kashmir’s Under-23 side, is reportedly among the frontrunners for a role with the senior team’s coaching staff. The search for a new bowling coach is also underway following Krishnakumar’s departure.