Who Is Kartik Sharma? Early Life, Player Stats & 14.20 Cr IPL Buy
Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, stunned everyone at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Chennai Super Kings picked him for a massive ₹14.20 crore, making him the highest price for an uncapped Indian of the auction. Kartik's natural talent, fearless power-hitting, and confidence at a young age have set him apart.
Kartik Sharma Early Life and Profile
Kartik Sharma is a right-handed middle-order batter and wicketkeeper who stands out for his natural timing and calm mindset at the crease. Born on April 26, 2006, in Rajasthan, Kartik comes from a middle-class family and began his cricket journey simply. At just five years old, he played street cricket using a plastic bat, dreaming big from a small beginning.
A major role in his growth was played by his father, a former cricketer, who trained him with great dedication. After practice sessions in Agra, his father would throw 200 to 300 balls every day, helping Kartik develop his power and six-hitting skills.
Career Stats of Kartik Sharma
Kartik Sharma made an instant impact in red-ball cricket with a dream first-class debut for Rajasthan in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy. Facing Uttarakhand, he scored a brilliant 113 off just 115 balls from the middle order. During the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kartik emerged as Rajasthan's leading run-scorer with 445 runs in eight innings at an average of 55.62 and a strike rate of 118.03.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | Strike Rate | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class | 8 | 11 | 479 | 139 | 43.54 | 79.04 | 3 |
| List A | 9 | 8 | 445 | 123 | 55.62 | 118.03 | 2 |
| T20s | 12 | 11 | 334 | 58 | 30.36 | 162.92 | 0 |
CSK Bought Him for INR 14.2 Crore For IPL 2026
As an uncapped player, he kept his base price at INR 30 lakh. CSK and SRH had an intense bidding war, but the 5-time champion eventually brought him in for INR 14.20 crore. This historic bid made him the costliest uncapped player in IPL history. Along with him, CSK now has Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni as wicket-keeper batters.