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Charu Sharma Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

BirthplaceUttar Pradesh, India

ProfessionSports Commentator, Compère, Quizmaster

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAnuja Sharma

FamilyFather - N. C. Sharma (educationist); has a younger sister

Charu Sharma Biography

Charu Sharma is an Indian sports broadcaster, compère and quizmaster known for long-running television presentations, work across major Indian sports media

Early life and background

Charu Sharma was born in Uttar Pradesh and spent his childhood after his family moved to Rajasthan when he was an infant. His father, N. C. Sharma, worked in education, serving as Vice-Principal of Mayo College, Ajmer, and later as Principal of Birla Vidyamandir in Uttarakhand. Sharma attended Mayo College in Ajmer for his schooling and went on to study at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and Davidson College in North Carolina, where he completed a one-year scholarship program.

Sharma distinguished himself in sport from a young age. He trained as a swimmer and diver, becoming a national junior diving champion and representing India as a springboard diver at the 1982 Asian Games. He also qualified for the Commonwealth Games in 1978 but did not take part due to financial constraints. In addition to aquatic sports, he played first-division cricket while in Kolkata.

Career

After finishing his scholarship at Davidson College, Sharma returned to India and held a variety of jobs, including work at a tea company in Delhi and later roles in Hyderabad and Mumbai. He began commentating at a local sports tournament, and the on-air work grew into a long media career. In the early 1990s he joined ESPN as a lead anchor under terms that allowed him to work around 120 days a year while keeping time for family. His contract with ESPN ended in 2001.

Over the years Sharma has been a familiar face across Indian sports broadcasters, working with Sony, Max, Star Sports, Doordarshan and others. He became particularly well known for television cricket presentations alongside Mandira Bedi. He has taken on multiple roles in sports production and administration: he served as CEO of the Royal Challengers Bangalore T20 franchise in 2008, and was later among the founders of Mashal Sports (also styled Marshal Sports) with Anand Mahindra. Through that company he helped create the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014 and has served as a director; Star India later acquired a majority stake in Mashal Sports. In 2022 he was identified as the director of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League.

Sharma is also active as a quizmaster and compère. He has hosted television shows, corporate events, award ceremonies and quizzes, including being invited to Bahrain in 2018 to promote cricket and to host the finals of the Coca-Cola Bahrain Premier League Quiz.

Public profile

Charu Sharma has been involved in several high-profile moments that drew public attention. His tenure as CEO of Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008 ended amid disagreement between him and team officials about the circumstances of his departure. At the 2022 Indian Premier League auction he stepped in to conduct the auction after the original auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades, collapsed; Sharma managed the auction through the lunch session on the first day and into the second day before Edmeades resumed his duties.

Sharma has also delivered guest lectures on sports commentary and broadcasting. He has addressed students at institutions such as MICA, sharing lessons from his experience covering major national and international events.

Personal life

Charu Sharma is married to Anuja Sharma. His wife is the sister of Anand Mahindra. The couple live in Bengaluru, Karnataka as of 2022. Sharma lists travel and golf among his favourite pastimes. He has given guest lectures and maintains a public presence through sporting events, media appearances and league administration.

Latest updates

In 2022 Sharma was publicly identified as director of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League. That same year he temporarily handled the IPL auction after the original auctioneer became unwell. He continues to be active as a presenter, quizmaster and figure in Indian sports media and event organisation.
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Recent Work

Director, Vivo Pro Kabaddi League

Served as director of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League in 2022 and continued involvement with Mashal Sports, the company behind the Pro Kabaddi League.

2022
IPL Auctioneer (temporary)

Stepped in to conduct the 2022 Indian Premier League auction after the original auctioneer was taken ill, working through the first and second day sessions before the original auctioneer resumed.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Longtime sports presenter and commentator across major Indian broadcasters including ESPN, Star Sports, Sony and Doordarshan
  2. Co-founder and director of Mashal/Marshal Sports, creator of the Pro Kabaddi League
  3. Served as CEO of Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008
  4. Hosted international quizzes and events, including the Coca-Cola Bahrain Premier League Quiz in 2018
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Charu Sharma known for?

Sports Commentator, Compère, Quizmaster

What is Charu Sharma’s marital status?

Married

Who is Charu Sharma married to?

Anuja Sharma