Who Is Kartik Sharma? CSK’s ₹14.2 Crore Buy at IPL 2026 Auction

Kartik Sharma became one of the biggest talking points of the IPL 2026 mini-auction after Chennai Super Kings picked him up for ₹14.20 crore on December 16.

The 19-year-old uncapped wicketkeeper-batter is now the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. He shares that record with Prashant Veer, who was also bought by CSK for the same price in the same auction.

Kartik represents Rajasthan in Indian domestic cricket and has quickly built a name for himself as an aggressive middle-order batter. He is right-handed and is known for his clean hitting, especially against spin bowling.

At just 19, Kartik is already being seen as a long-term investment by CSK. Many believe the franchise views him as a future wicketkeeping option, keeping the post MS Dhoni transition in mind.

Kartik was born on April 26, 2006, and has impressed across formats at the domestic level. His numbers show strong consistency, particularly in longer formats, despite his young age.

In first-class cricket, he has played 11 matches and scored 479 runs at an average of 43.54, with three centuries. These performances highlight his ability to build innings under pressure.

In List A cricket, Kartik has been even more effective. He has scored 445 runs in nine matches at an average of 55.62, including two hundreds and two fifties.

In the T20 format, he has featured in 12 matches and scored 334 runs at an average of 30.36. While he has not scored a century yet, he already has two fifties and is known for his fearless approach.

The bidding for Kartik Sharma was intense. Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad pushed CSK hard before eventually dropping out as the price crossed ₹14 crore.

CSK’s willingness to spend big reflects their focus on backing young Indian talent for the future. The move comes soon after the franchise traded away Ravindra Jadeja, signaling a clear shift toward building the next core.

Kartik Sharma now enters the IPL spotlight with high expectations. How he handles the pressure of a massive price tag will be closely watched in the 2026 season.

Kartik Sharma IPL 2026 Auction FAQ