Who is Anushka Sharma? 5 Interesting Facts About Uncapped Gujarat Giants Star Who Impressed During WPL 2026

Gujarat Giants (GG) all-rounder Anushka Sharma has had a great start to her career in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The 22-year-old scored a 30-ball 44 in her maiden outing and added 13 more runs in GG’s second match against Delhi Capitals (DC) yesterday (January 11).

Additionally, his phenomenal borderline save in GG’s penultimate thrilling four-point win over DC created a buzz on social media.

The franchise signed Anushka in the WPL 2026 auction for ₹45 Lakhs in hopes of turning around its fortunes after three down seasons. GG made an exceptional start to the season, winning its first two outings to climb to the top of the rankings.

Anushka and the team’s good start have increased fans’ curiosity towards the young all-rounder.

Here, we find out more as we unveil five interesting facts about Anushka Sharma amid the WPL 2026 season.

#1 Inspired by a Virat Kohli special against Australia

Anushka Sharma, like so many others, took inspiration from none other than ace Indian batting Virat Kohli. Yet, she recently opened up about a specific Virat Kohli moment that helped her pursue a cricket career.

It was his famous 51-ball 82* in a must-win Super 10 clash of the 2016 T20 World Cup against Australia in Mohali. Kohli helped India chase down 161 in the final and propel them into the semi-final.

“Woh aise bhaag bhi rahe the, aur akele team ko jeeta bhi rahe the. I don’t know how he (Kohli) thinks, but his performance blew me away that day. He set the benchmark for aspiring cricketers like us, because he ticked all the boxes,” Anushka said in a recent interview (via World of the Republic).

Despite India’s defeat in the semi-final, Kohli was adjudged Player of the Tournament for scoring 273 runs at an average of 136.50 in five matches.

#2 Heroics just before the WPL auction

Performances just before the auction often attract bidders, and Anushka Sharma made sure she got franchises noticed with her exploits weeks before the 2026 auction. Playing for Central Zone in the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20 Trophy, the 24-year-old finished third highest scorer in the competition.

The right-hander amassed 155 runs at an average of nearly 39 and a strike rate of 125. Anushka’s exploits helped Central Zone finish third in the table with three wins in five matches.

More importantly, it helped the young lady land a massive contract in the most prestigious women’s T20 league.

#3 The little-known feats of bowling

WPL followers saw only half of Anushka Sharma’s cricketing prowess in the first two outings. The youngster has a lot to offer as an off-spin bowler, as evidenced by her recent performances.

In the above-mentioned interzonal tournament, Anushka was also among the wickets with five scalps in as many matches at an average of 14.57 and an economy of 6.80. Anushka is yet to compete in the ongoing WPL 2026, but it shouldn’t be long before this aspect of her arsenal comes to the forefront.

#4 Domination as a teenager

Anushka Sharma is no newcomer to competitive cricket, having enjoyed a dominant run as a teenager in 2021. Playing for Madhya Pradesh in the 2020/21 Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, the youngster produced admirable results.

Anushka scored 121 runs while picking up five wickets at an average of under 22 and an economy of 2.89, in five matches. Later that year, she played for India C in the 2021/22 One Day Challenger Trophy and delivered the goods.

Anushka scored over 100 runs at an average of 38 and picked up two wickets with the ball in three outings.

#5 Unique debut in cricket

Anushka Sharma owes a lot to her Sachin Tendulkar fan brother Ayush for her first cricket action. The youngster was a practice bowler, bowling at medium pace, so his brother could practice batting.

“I loved playing cricket, but at first I didn’t have much interest. When I was about five, my brother taught me how to bowl so I could bat,” she said in an interview with Sportstar.

Anushka has played for several teams at different levels, including Madhya Pradesh, India C, India B U-19, Central Zone, India E and Bundelkhand Bulls Women, before her WPL debut.