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 talented players to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves in the cricketing world. The recent IPL 2026 auction saw many exciting young players being picked up by various teams, 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.
Sharma, who has been hailed as ‘Rajasthan’s six-hitting machine’, 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 caught the attention of many cricket fans and experts.
So, 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 been a regular member of the team. Sharma’s impressive batting skills and ability to hit sixes at will have earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in the country.
Sharma’s rise to fame has been rapid, and his selection in the CSK team is a testament to his hard work and dedication. The CSK team, which is known for its strong batting lineup, will be hoping that Sharma can bring his aggressive batting style to the team and help them win matches. With the likes of MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad already in the team, Sharma will have to work hard to establish himself as a regular member of the playing XI.
However, Sharma’s impressive stats and skills suggest that he has the potential to make a big impact in the IPL. His ability to hit sixes and score quickly will be a valuable asset to the CSK team, which has often struggled to accelerate the innings in the middle overs. Sharma’s wicketkeeping skills will also be an added advantage, as he can provide an extra option to the team behind the stumps.
The IPL 2026 auction saw many young players being picked up by various teams, but Sharma’s selection was one of the most exciting and surprising picks of the auction. The fact that he was bought for ₹14.2 crore, making him the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history, is a testament to his potential and the faith that the CSK team has in him.
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Kartik Sharma to see how he performs on the big stage. Will he be able to live up to the hype and expectations surrounding him, or will he struggle to make an impact? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – Sharma has the potential to be a game-changer in the IPL, and his selection by the CSK team is a exciting development for cricket fans.
In conclusion, Kartik Sharma is an exciting young player who has the potential to make a big impact in the IPL. His impressive batting skills, ability to hit sixes, and wicketkeeping skills make him a valuable asset to the CSK team. As he prepares to make his IPL debut, all eyes will be on him to see how he performs on the big stage. Will he be able to live up to the hype and expectations surrounding him, or will he struggle to make an impact? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – Sharma has the potential to be a game-changer in the IPL.
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/auction/ipl-2026-auction-1515016/live-updates