The gavel fell in Abu Dhabi, and the room gasped. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) just blew past previous records at the IPL Auction 2026. They picked up Kartik Sharma for a jaw-dropping ₹14.20 crore. This huge bid turned the 19-year-old Rajasthan cricketer into the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history.
The news quickly spread through the cricket world. Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants all fought to sign him. In the end, the yellow army walked away with the wicketkeeper-batter.
A price tag like that shows exactly how much the team believe in his talent. Fans are now counting down the days until he puts on the famous yellow jersey to play next to legends like MS Dhoni.
From Bharatpur to the Big Stage
His story started in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, back on April 26, 2006. Manoj Sharma, his father and a former local player himself, saw his son's potential early on. Money was tight for the family.
Even so, they sold off farmland and jewellery to pay for his training. Lokendra Singh Chahar, the father of Indian pacer Deepak Chahar, coached Kartik at his academy.
He turned the boy into a hitter who isn't afraid of any bowler. Deepak Chahar even told him to try wicketkeeping to make himself more valuable. That advice really paid off at the IPL Auction 2026.
KartikSharma personal profile:
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Kartik Sharma |
| Date of Birth | 26 April 2006 |
| Birthplace | Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| Auction Price | ₹14.20 Crore |
Domestic Dominance and Career Rise
The Rajasthan cricketer didn't waste any time making a name for himself in local cricket. He made a statement in First-Class matches by hitting a century on his Ranji Trophy debut against Uttarakhand. He plays with a lot of aggression.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he racked up 445 runs in only eight innings. He ended up as the top run-scorer for his state. IPL scouts loved his high strike rate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During that tournament, he cleared the boundary ropes almost at will. These innings are exactly why franchises were willing to spend so much on an uncapped player.
Key Career Achievements & Stats:
| Tournament / Metric | Stat / Achievement |
| Ranji Trophy Debut | Scored a Century (113 runs) |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 445 Runs (Highest for Rajasthan) |
| Batting Position | Middle-order / Finisher |
| Key Attribute | High Strike Rate (160+ in T20s) |
| Mentors | Manoj Sharma, Lokendra Singh Chahar |
Playing Style and Future Prospects
Experts often compare his batting style to Virender Sehwag. He has a simple "see the ball, hit the ball" mindset. He uses strong wrists and a steady stance to find a lot of power. CSK are looking at him as a player for the future.
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They might even be preparing him to take over the gloves from MS Dhoni eventually. There is a lot of pressure coming with that ₹14.20 crore price tag. Still, his past performances show that he plays well when the stakes are high. Fans everywhere will be watching closely when Kartik Sharma finally walks out for Chennai Super Kings. He looks ready to prove he’s worth every bit of that record-breaking bid.
