Chennai Super Kings purchased wicketkeeper Kartik Sharma for Rs. 14.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Before Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants gained control as the competition quickly surpassed Rs. 5 crore, the Mumbai Indians started the bidding at Kartik's base price of Rs. 30 lakh.
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a last-ditch effort to thwart the chase after CSK and KKR locked horns, causing the price to spike. The 19-year-old was eventually acquired by CSK for an astounding Rs. 14.20 crore.
After being acquired by the Chennai Super Kings for the same sum, Kartik and Prashant Veer are currently the two most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. This will be the Rajasthan wicketkeeper’s maiden appearance in the IPL.
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19-year-old wicketkeeper batter Kartik played a pivotal role in Rajasthan having a dream run in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–2026 season after defeating domestic cricket powerhouses like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka to go to the knockout stages from Elite Group D.
With pocket cameos in the middle order, Kartik Sharma has amassed 133 runs with a strike rate of above 160 in five games for Rajasthan.
Kartik has the ability to keep wickets and strike big in the final overs – qualities similar to the legendary MS Dhoni. But will he live up to the big expectations? Only time will tell.
