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 cricketers to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves in the cricketing world. The recently concluded IPL 2026 auction saw several exciting young players being picked up by various franchises, but one name that stood out among the rest was Kartik Sharma. The 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan 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.
Kartik Sharma has been hailed as ‘Rajasthan’s six-hitting machine’ due to his incredible ability to hit big sixes and score runs at a rapid pace. Despite being just 19 years old, Sharma has already played eight first-class, nine List A, and 12 T20 matches, scoring a total of 1,258 runs. His impressive strike rate of 162.92 in T20 cricket has caught the attention of many cricket fans and experts, who believe that he has the potential to become a game-changer in the world of cricket.
Sharma’s journey to becoming one of the most expensive uncapped players in IPL history has been nothing short of remarkable. 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 cricketing circuit. His impressive performances in domestic cricket caught the attention of the Indian cricket team’s selectors, who included him in the India U-19 team for the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Although India did not win the tournament, Sharma’s performances were impressive, and he caught the attention of many cricket fans and experts. His ability to hit big sixes and score runs at a rapid pace made him a favorite among fans, and he soon became known as ‘Rajasthan’s six-hitting machine’.
Sharma’s impressive performances in domestic cricket and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup made him a hot property in the IPL 2026 auction. Several franchises were interested in signing him, but it was CSK who eventually won the bid, buying him for ₹14.2 crore. This made Sharma the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history, along with Ishan Kishan, who was bought by the Mumbai Indians for the same amount in 2018.
CSK’s decision to buy Sharma for such a high price is a testament to their faith in his abilities. The franchise has a history of identifying and nurturing young talent, and they believe that Sharma has the potential to become a key player for them in the years to come. With his impressive strike rate and ability to hit big sixes, Sharma is likely to be a valuable addition to the CSK team, and fans will be eager to see him in action in the upcoming IPL season.
Sharma’s success is not just a testament to his own hard work and dedication, but also to the efforts of his family and coaches, who have supported him throughout his cricketing journey. His parents, who have been his biggest supporters, have sacrificed a lot to help him pursue his dreams, and his coaches have worked tirelessly to help him improve his game.
As Sharma prepares to make his IPL debut with CSK, he will be aware of the high expectations that come with being one of the most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. However, he has shown in the past that he is capable of handling pressure and performing under difficult circumstances. With his impressive skills and dedication to the game, Sharma is likely to make a significant impact in the upcoming IPL season, and cricket fans will be eager to see him in action.
In conclusion, Kartik Sharma is a talented young cricketer who has made a name for himself in the cricketing world with his impressive performances in domestic cricket and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. His ability to hit big sixes and score runs at a rapid pace has caught the attention of many cricket fans and experts, and his signing by CSK for ₹14.2 crore has made him the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. As he prepares to make his IPL debut, Sharma will be aware of the high expectations that come with being one of the most expensive uncapped players in IPL history, but he has the skills and dedication to make a significant impact in the upcoming IPL season.
News source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/auction/ipl-2026-auction-1515016/live-updates
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