Ashutosh Sharma has parted ways with Railways and signed with Gujarat for the 2026-27 domestic season. The Gujarat Cricket Association confirmed the switch on October 5, 2026. Ashutosh, who fills the finisher’s role for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, is likely to be integrated into Gujarat’s white-ball plans for the coming campaign.
Gujarat have recruited three professionals in total ahead of the new season. Alongside Ashutosh, Rajasthan fast bowler Ashok Sharma and Rajasthan legspinner Ravi Bishnoi have both committed to the association. Ashok Sharma is currently carrying an injury, which places his availability for the early fixtures in doubt, while Bishnoi’s leg-spin offers Gujarat a fresh dimension in their bowling attack.
Ashutosh originally comes from Madhya Pradesh, where he began his senior white-ball career before eventually moving to Railways. His connection to GMR Group deepened when he represented Hampshire in the One-Day Cup in England, Hampshire being a club under GMR ownership. That stint placed him firmly within the GMR network and is understood to have smoothed the path to his Gujarat move.
Why did Ashutosh Sharma move to Gujarat?
Neither Railways nor the Gujarat Cricket Association has publicly stated a reason for the transfer. What is clear is that GMR Group, which co-owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL and holds ownership of Hampshire, played a central role in arranging the switch. Ashutosh’s time at Hampshire brought him into closer contact with the GMR setup, and Gujarat’s interest in him appears to be focused specifically on white-ball cricket rather than the red-ball formats.
The simultaneous arrival of three professionals points to a broader squad-building exercise by Gujarat rather than a reactive response to any single gap. Ravi Bishnoi’s leg-spin and Ashok Sharma’s pace, once he recovers from his current injury, would complement Ashutosh’s lower-order hitting and give the side greater flexibility across the limited-overs formats.
What changes has Gujarat made to their coaching setup?
Gujarat have also overhauled their coaching structure ahead of the 2026-27 season. Monty Desai has been appointed head coach, taking over from Ramesh Powar. Desai brings international coaching experience, having previously worked with Nepal and, more recently, guided Canada before accepting the Gujarat role.
Ramesh Powar, meanwhile, has moved into different assignments. He put his name forward for a position on the men’s junior selection panel and also took up a spin-bowling consultancy with the Australia Under-19 setup. The combination of a new head coach and three incoming professionals suggests Gujarat are approaching the 2026-27 domestic calendar with a clear intent to reshape their squad and support structure.
