Kartik Sharma is a highly-rated uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan who has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Indian domestic cricket. Known for his explosive middle-order batting, Kartik has built a reputation as a natural finisher in T20 cricket, combining raw power with composure beyond his age.
At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Kartik Sharma became one of the biggest stories of the day. After an intense bidding war involving Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), CSK secured his services for a massive Rs 14.20 crore, making him one of the most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL history.
This article covers Kartik Sharma’s IPL 2026 team, auction price, salary, career stats, records, and rise, following the standard IPL player profile format.
Kartik Sharma IPL Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Kartik Sharma |
| IPL Team (2026) | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| IPL Debut | 2026 |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | — |
| IPL 2026 Price | Rs 14.20 crore |
| Age | 19 years (Born: 26 April 2006) |
| Domestic Team | Rajasthan |
Kartik Sharma IPL 2026 Team, Price and Salary
Kartik Sharma entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction as an uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter with a base price of Rs 30 lakh. Strong interest from multiple franchises quickly escalated the bidding, with KKR initially pushing the price upward before SRH entered aggressively near the Rs 14 crore mark.
Chennai Super Kings eventually won the three-way battle at Rs 14.20 crore, underlining their intent to invest in young Indian talent with long-term potential. Kartik’s ability to keep wickets and finish games with the bat made him a priority target for CSK as they look to strengthen their Indian middle-order core.
Kartik Sharma IPL Price History
| Year | IPL Price | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rs 14.20 crore | Chennai Super Kings |
IPL 2026 will mark Kartik Sharma’s first season in the Indian Premier League.
Kartik Sharma IPL Career Stats
Kartik Sharma is yet to make his IPL debut and therefore does not have IPL statistics at this stage.
| Season | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — |
His IPL numbers will be updated once he features in matches for CSK.
Kartik Sharma Domestic Career Stats and Records
T20 Career
| Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | 160+ |
Kartik is widely known for his T20 strike rate of over 160, establishing him as a genuine power-hitter in the middle order.
First-Class Cricket
- Century on Ranji Trophy debut (2024–25 season)
- Has already shown the temperament to build long innings at the red-ball level
List A (Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25)
- 445 runs – Rajasthan’s leading run-scorer
- Demonstrated consistency and adaptability in the 50-over format
Key Career Highlights
- Scored a century on first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy
- Rajasthan’s top run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (2024–25)
- Impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with impactful middle-order knocks
- Smashed a trial hundred for KKR at a strike rate of around 285, creating strong IPL buzz
- Praised by former cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Aakash Chopra for six-hitting ability and finishing skills
Kartik Sharma Last IPL Innings
Kartik Sharma has not played in the IPL yet.
Note: IPL 2026 will be his debut IPL season. His last-innings data will be updated once he takes the field for CSK.
Why Kartik Sharma Is a Major Investment for CSK
Kartik Sharma offers CSK a rare combination of youth, power-hitting, and wicketkeeping skills. Indian middle-order finishers who can also keep wickets are among the most valuable assets in T20 cricket, and CSK clearly see Kartik as a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix.
By investing Rs 14.20 crore, CSK have placed a high-stakes bet on Kartik’s potential to become a future match-winner. As IPL 2026 approaches, expectations will be high—but so will the opportunity for the teenage sensation to justify the faith placed in him.
