In a shocking development, former Mumbai Indians (MI) player Shivalik Sharma has been charged with sexual assault in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against the Baroda cricketer at the Kudi Bhagatasani Police Station, following allegations of rape made by a woman with whom he was previously engaged.
According to reports, key legal formalities, including the victim’s medical examination and her statement before a magistrate, have already been completed. The police have launched a manhunt and are reportedly closing in on Shivalik, with his arrest believed to be imminent.
ACP Anand Singh Rajpurohit provided a detailed account of the events that led to the filing of the case. Speaking to Lokmat Times, he said, “A woman, a resident of Sector 2, Kudi Bhagatasani, has levelled allegations against cricketer Shivalik Sharma. The woman met him during a walk in Vadodara in February 2023. What began as a casual acquaintance developed into a romantic relationship over time, with long phone conversations becoming a daily routine.”
Rajpurohit further stated that both families were involved in the relationship. “The families met in 2023, and the two got engaged. After their engagement, they entered into physical relations.”
However, the situation took a drastic turn in August 2024 when the woman visited Baroda at Shivalik’s invitation. There, she was informed by Shivalik’s parents that he could no longer continue the relationship. Feeling betrayed and emotionally distressed, the woman filed a rape complaint against him.
Shivalik Sharma hails from Baroda, Gujarat, and was part of the Mumbai Indians squad during the 2024 Indian Premier League season. He was bought at his base price of INR 20 lakh during the mini-auction but did not feature in any match for the five-time IPL champions.
Despite his IPL inactivity, Shivalik has been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 484 runs in 11 innings, and 155 runs in six innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His standout performance came during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 235 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 155.62.
As of now, Shivalik Sharma’s whereabouts remain unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. The case has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket community, with fans and officials awaiting further developments.
