Kartik Sharma, a promising wicketkeeper, made headlines at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi as Chennai Super Kings secured him for a whopping Rs. 14.20 crore. The bidding war began with Mumbai Indians offering his base price of Rs. 30 lakh, but Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants quickly drove the price beyond Rs. 5 crore. CSK and KKR battled it out, with Sunrisers Hyderabad also making a late attempt to snag Kartik. Ultimately, CSK emerged victorious, signing the 19-year-old for the eye-catching sum.
This will be Kartik’s debut in the IPL, where he is known for his explosive batting skills in the lower order. He showcased his talent in domestic white-ball cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 133 runs in five matches at a strike rate of over 160. In his 12 T20 matches, Kartik has consistently maintained a strike rate above 160.
With this record-breaking deal, Kartik now shares the title of the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history with Prashant Veer, both acquired by CSK for the same price. This move highlights CSK’s confidence in Kartik’s potential and sets high expectations for his performance in the upcoming IPL season.
Published on Dec 16, 2025.
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