Last updated: 7 April 2026
Ananya Sharma
IPL Cricket Analyst & Sports Writer
10 years in cricket journalism · 200+ matches covered · 8 IPL seasons · Post Graduate Diploma, IIMC New Delhi
Who I Am
My name is Ananya Sharma, and I have been covering cricket professionally since 2016. I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi — one of India's premier journalism schools — which I completed in 2016. My journey in cricket coverage began at a mid-size Indian digital sports publication where I first gained access to press boxes, post-match press conferences and training sessions across domestic and IPL fixtures.
Today I am the lead analyst and writer at CricketMatchDay, where I personally create every match preview, squad analysis, venue report and prediction published on the site. I combine statistical rigour with first-hand knowledge gained from attending IPL matches in person across multiple seasons and venues, including Wankhede Stadium, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium and Eden Gardens.
My Expertise
Pitch analysis: I have analysed pitch behaviour at all 10 IPL home venues across 8 seasons. I track average first-innings scores (broken down by phase — powerplay, middle overs, death), toss win percentages, pace vs spin wicket shares and dew impact by time of match. This data forms the foundation of every venue assessment in my previews — a flat Wankhede track produces a fundamentally different preview than a turning Chepauk surface.
Head-to-head statistics: For every match preview, I compile the complete head-to-head record between the two franchises — not just wins and losses, but run margins, chasing success rates, average powerplay scores in the fixture, and top performers in the specific rivalry. I use rolling data from the last 20 IPL meetings where available, because older records (pre-mega-auction) involve substantially different squads and are less predictive.
Player form evaluation: I assess player form across the most recent 10-15 innings rather than career averages, because T20 cricket form cycles are short and volatile. For batsmen, I track runs, strike rate, boundary percentage and average by batting position. For bowlers, I track wickets, economy rate, dot ball percentage and phase-specific performance (powerplay, middle, death). A bowler averaging 6.5 economy in the powerplay but 12.0 at the death tells a very different story than their overall economy suggests.
T20 format strategy: I understand the tactical frameworks that shape modern T20 cricket: powerplay aggression trade-offs, middle-overs anchor roles, death-over match-ups between specific batsmen and bowlers, and how the Impact Player rule fundamentally changes squad balance in IPL 2026 by allowing an extra specialist batsman or bowler without sacrificing the playing XI.
Betting market context: I follow odds movements for IPL matches and provide betting context in my previews — toss advantage data at specific venues, value angles where the market may be mispricing a team's chances, and market observations on how odds shift after toss or late squad changes. I do NOT claim to guarantee outcomes or provide "sure-fire tips".
My Approach to Predictions
I create every prediction based on data analysis, not gut feeling or fan loyalty. My process follows a consistent sequence for every match: venue analysis → head-to-head record → current squad form → comparative squad strength → weather and conditions assessment → prediction with reasoning explained. I believe readers deserve to see the logic behind a prediction — not just the pick.
I track EVERY prediction I publish. My current accuracy stands at 58.2% across 200+ verified match winner predictions since IPL 2023. The full record — including every incorrect prediction — is published at Prediction Track Record. I update it after every match, win or lose.
I do NOT claim guaranteed wins. Cricket is inherently unpredictable — a single dropped catch in the 18th over, a DLS-revised target after rain, or an impact player substitution can change any match. I provide my best analysis, acknowledge uncertainty explicitly in my previews, and let the track record speak for itself. My editorial methodology is documented in full at Editorial Policy.
Coverage History
I have covered IPL seasons 2019 through 2026 (8 consecutive seasons), T20 World Cup 2022 (Australia) and 2024 (West Indies/USA), Asia Cup 2022 and 2023, and domestic Indian cricket including the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. I have attended 5 IPL finals in person since 2019 across Ahmedabad, Chennai and Hyderabad. My match previews and analysis are read by thousands of cricket fans monthly across India, the UK, Australia and the UAE.
Contact
If you have a question about a preview, found an inaccuracy in my statistics, or want to suggest a match for extended coverage — I welcome your feedback. Accuracy matters to me, and reader corrections have helped improve multiple previews in past seasons.
Email: editorial@domain.com · LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ananya-sharma-cricket