Ankit Sharma Obtains NOC from Puducherry, Poised for Kerala Move

Puducherry/Kochi – Veteran left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma has officially secured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP), paving the way for a likely switch to Kerala for the upcoming domestic cricket season. The 34-year-old all-rounder, originally from Madhya Pradesh, has been a prominent figure for Puducherry in recent seasons before his anticipated move.

Sharma, who boasts an impressive record of 68 first-class matches, has also resigned from his employment with Siechem Technologies, further indicating his readiness for a new chapter. Sources within the Cricket Association of Puducherry have strongly suggested that Sharma's transition to the Kerala squad is almost a certainty.

However, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) maintains that while Sharma has been interviewed, a final decision regarding his inclusion is yet to be made. A KCA official confirmed, "We have interviewed Ankit. He had come down to Kerala for an interview, but we are yet to take a final decision."

Sharma's Contribution to Puducherry

During his tenure with Puducherry, Sharma was a consistent performer. He featured in 17 first-class matches, where his slow left-arm spin yielded 49 wickets. His contributions also extended to white-ball cricket, taking 12 wickets in 13 List A games and 11 wickets in 13 T20 matches for the southern side.

Puducherry Announces Replacement

In response to Sharma's departure, the Cricket Association of Puducherry has already named his successor. Sidak Singh, another left-handed all-rounder, will fill the vacancy. The CAP has also announced its roster of professional players for the season, which includes Diddhant Adhatrao, Puneet Datey, and Jayant Yadav, alongside Sidak Singh.