Ashutosh Sharma joins Gujarat for 2026/27 domestic season from Railways
Synopsis
Ashutosh Sharma — the IPL-hardened death-overs finisher who turned heads at Hampshire earlier this year — has moved from Railways to Gujarat, joining Ravi Bishnoi and Ashok Sharma as a guest signing. With a new coach in Monty Desai and a Ranji semi-final heartbreak from 2024/25 still fresh, Gujarat are clearly building for a title run.
Key Takeaways
Ashutosh Sharma has switched from Railways to Gujarat for the 2026/27 domestic cricket season.
He is one of three guest players signed by the GCA , alongside Ravi Bishnoi and Ashok Sharma .
Ashutosh claimed 14 wickets in 7 games for Hampshire in the One-Day Cup earlier in 2026.
Gujarat open their Ranji Trophy campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium , Ahmedabad on Sunday.
GCA Secretary Anil Patel cited the semi-final exit in 2024/25 as motivation to chase a title under new coach Monty Desai .
Ashutosh Sharma has switched his domestic cricket allegiance from Railways to Gujarat for the 2026/27 season, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) Secretary Anil Patel confirmed on Monday, 5 October 2026. The explosive finisher has already been training with the Gujarat squad and reportedly appeared in some of their internal practice games ahead of the new campaign.
Three Guest Signings for Gujarat
Ashutosh is one of three guest players brought in by the GCA for the upcoming season. Alongside him, Gujarat have signed India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi — currently part of India's T20I squad facing the West Indies in a series beginning in Lucknow on Tuesday — and fast bowler Ashok Sharma, who departed Rajasthan but is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
What GCA's Anil Patel Said
'Yes, Ashutosh Sharma will be playing domestic cricket for Gujarat from this year. He's definitely a great addition to our batting order, especially in the white-ball formats. We are waiting for good results now. There's a need for us to get a big title, as last to last year (2024/25 season), we missed out after coming into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. With a new coach in Monty Desai, let's hope for the best,' Patel said.
Ashutosh's Domestic and IPL Journey
Ashutosh began his first-class career with Madhya Pradesh before moving to Railways, steadily building his reputation as a high-impact death-overs finisher in the shortest format. That profile earned him stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Earlier in 2026, he featured for Hampshire in the One-Day Cup, claiming 14 wickets in seven games — including a five-wicket haul — though he managed only 56 runs with the bat in that campaign.
Gujarat's Ranji Trophy Opener and Broader Context
Gujarat will begin their 2026/27 Ranji Trophy campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The first round of the tournament also features senior opener KL Rahul returning for Karnataka against Andhra in Vijayawada, and left-arm spinner Manav Suthar captaining Rajasthan in their opener against Tamil Nadu in Jaipur. Off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar is in line to feature for Tamil Nadu against Rajasthan, having been released from India's T20I squad to accumulate red-ball game time ahead of the Test tour of New Zealand. Washington recently returned from Japan, where he was part of the gold medal-winning Indian team. The wave of high-profile domestic appearances underscores the renewed emphasis the BCCI has placed on Ranji Trophy readiness ahead of a packed international calendar.
Point of View
Yet GCA's stated ambition is a Ranji Trophy title. That tension — between signing a finisher celebrated for T20 pyrotechnics and winning a five-day format — is worth watching. If the Ravi Bishnoi addition comes off once he finishes international duties, Gujarat's spin depth could be formidable. The real question is whether these guest signings displace long-term development pathways for local talent in a state that has historically produced quality cricketers.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Ashutosh Sharma moved from Railways to Gujarat?
Ashutosh Sharma has switched to Gujarat for the 2026/27 domestic season as a guest player signing by the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA). GCA Secretary Anil Patel confirmed the move, saying Ashutosh is 'a great addition to the batting order, especially in white-ball formats.'
Who are the other guest players signed by Gujarat for 2026/27?
Gujarat have signed three guest players: Ashutosh Sharma, India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, and fast bowler Ashok Sharma. Bishnoi is currently with India's T20I squad against the West Indies, while Ashok Sharma is undergoing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
When does Gujarat begin their 2026/27 Ranji Trophy campaign?
Gujarat open their Ranji Trophy 2026/27 campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. It is the first game of the season under new head coach Monty Desai.
What is Ashutosh Sharma's domestic cricket background?
Ashutosh Sharma began his first-class career with Madhya Pradesh before moving to Railways. He has played IPL cricket with Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, and earlier in 2026 represented Hampshire in the One-Day Cup, taking 14 wickets in seven games.
Why is Washington Sundar playing Ranji Trophy instead of the T20I series?
Washington Sundar was released from India's T20I squad against the West Indies to accumulate red-ball match practice ahead of the Test tour of New Zealand. He is in line to represent Tamil Nadu against Rajasthan in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy.
