Middlesex Cricket have announced that another of the Club’s EPG Academy youngsters has been rewarded with his first professional contract, with Naavya Sharma signing a rookie contract until the end of the 2026 season.
Born in Isleworth, the tall nineteen-year-old right-arm quick is another product of the Berkshire Youth system and came through their age group programme before joining the Middlesex pathway at Under 16 level.
Since joining the Middlesex EPG squad, he has gone on to make his debuts for the Club in both the Second Eleven Championship in 2023 and the Second Eleven T20 competition this year.
He capped a magnificent season this year by being called up to the England Under 19s Test squad and featured in both Test matches against Sri Lanka Under 19s, finishing the series as the leading wicket-taker, picking up nine wickets in the two Tests, including a five-wicket haul in the second Test, returning figures of 5 for 44.
Berkshire Head of Performance Neal Robinson commented:
‘A huge congratulations to Naavya Sharma for being awarded a rookie contract with Middlesex.
Naavya is a product of our Emerging Player Programme and started at Berkshire at U11s, making his way onto our Added Provision Group and playing in our age group sides until the end of the U15 season. Naavya is one of many players that has benefitted from a move from the Berkshire EPP to the Middlesex Academy.
Tom Lambert worked extensively with Naavya during his early years and what stood out was his ability to move the ball both ways at eye catching pace. We wish Naavya all the best on the next chapter of his cricket career.’
Middlesex, Managing Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, commented:
“It’s so rewarding to see a young player develop as well as Naavya has, and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.
“Our thanks go to our partners at Berkshire Cricket, who saw the potential in Naavya at a young age, and a lot of credit must go to them for developing him in his early years.”
On signing professional terms with Middlesex, Sharma himself commented:
“I am delighted and honoured to be given this opportunity and am really excited to get started and make a positive impact.
“I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to my cricketing journey thus far”
