Who is Kartik Sharma, joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a platform for young and emerging players to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves in the cricketing world. The recently concluded IPL 2026 auction saw many young players being picked up by various franchises, but one player who caught everyone’s attention was Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan. Sharma was bought by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a whopping ₹14.2 crore, making him the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history.
Hailed as ‘Rajasthan’s six-hitting machine’, Kartik Sharma has been making waves in the domestic cricket circuit with his impressive batting skills. The right-hander has played a total of eight first-class, nine List A, and 12 T20 matches, scoring a total of 1,258 runs. His strike rate of 162.92 in T20 cricket is a testament to his aggressive batting style, which has earned him a lot of praise from cricket experts and fans alike.
But who is Kartik Sharma, and what makes him so special? Born and brought up in Rajasthan, Sharma started playing cricket at a young age and quickly made a name for himself in the state’s cricket circuit. He made his first-class debut for Rajasthan in 2022 and has since then been a regular member of the team. His performances in the domestic circuit have been impressive, with many experts predicting a bright future for him in Indian cricket.
Sharma’s batting style is aggressive and explosive, with a penchant for hitting sixes. He has a wide range of shots in his arsenal, including the pull, cut, and drive, which makes him a difficult batsman to bowl to. His ability to score quickly and take the game away from the opposition has made him a valuable asset for any team.
The CSK franchise, known for their smart bidding and ability to spot young talent, would have done their homework before bidding for Sharma. The franchise has a history of nurturing young players and giving them a platform to showcase their skills, and it will be interesting to see how they utilize Sharma’s talents in the upcoming IPL season.
Sharma’s purchase by CSK has also sparked a lot of debate about the IPL’s auction system and the amount of money being spent on young and uncapped players. While some experts feel that the amount spent on Sharma is justified, given his talent and potential, others feel that it is excessive and may put undue pressure on the young player.
However, for Sharma, this is a dream come true. The 19-year-old would have never imagined that he would be bought for such a high price in the IPL auction, and it is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. He will now have the opportunity to play alongside some of the best players in the world and learn from them, which will undoubtedly help him improve his game.
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Kartik Sharma to see how he performs for CSK. Will he be able to justify his price tag and make a name for himself in the IPL, or will the pressure of being the joint-most expensive uncapped player get to him? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – Kartik Sharma is a player to watch out for in the future.
The IPL has always been a platform for young players to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves, and Kartik Sharma is the latest example of this. His purchase by CSK is a testament to the franchise’s commitment to nurturing young talent and giving them a platform to succeed.
In conclusion, Kartik Sharma is a talented young wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan who has made a name for himself in the domestic cricket circuit. His impressive batting skills and aggressive style have earned him a lot of praise, and his purchase by CSK for ₹14.2 crore makes him the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. As the IPL 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Sharma to see how he performs for CSK, and it will be interesting to see how he utilizes this opportunity to make a name for himself in Indian cricket.
News source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/auction/ipl-2026-auction-1515016/live-updates
About the Author
