Kartik Sharma, 19-year-old uncapped wicket-keeper batter from Rajasthan, unexpectedly became one of the most discussed players in the mini-auction of the upcoming season of the IPL 2026 as he was purchased by the Chennai Super Kings for a staggering amount of ₹14.20 crores. Beginning with a base price of only ₹30 lakhs, Kartik's price skyrocketed as various teams went out of their way to acquire this talented finisher. The bidding process soon turned into a three-way battle between CSK and two other teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Eventually, CSK decided to put all its might behind Kartik’s abilities and purchased him for a record price. This made Kartik the most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL history. Kartik Sharma sold to CSK! 💛🏏 pic.twitter.com/uEYRBilRj4 — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) December 16, 2025 Creating a Young Finisher with a Rare Skill Set Kartik Sharma is regarded as one of the most promising young wicket-keeper-batsmen in Indian domestic cricket. He plays in the middle order and is known for his aggression while finishing off innings. His strike rate in T20 cricket is well over 160. This clearly reflects his capability of scoring runs quickly even under pressure. Kartik is a left-hand batsman and a leg-break googly bowler. Born on April 26, 2006, he has been playing for Rajasthan in domestic cricket. Even at his young age, he has displayed maturity that is unbecoming of his age. His skill set and composure under pressure set him apart from other young players. Also Read | Who is Prashant Veer? The emerging player of UpT20 who attracted crores in 2026 IPL mini auction Home Performances That Made Headlines Kartik first made national headlines during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. He scored a century in his first-class debut, which is a very rare occurrence for a young man like Kartik. Such an innings showcased his technical expertise and his ability to play an extended knock. He also performed well in limited-overs formats. In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kartik scored a total of 445 runs, which made him the leading run-scorer in Rajasthan. This demonstrated that he is also capable of performing well in the 50-over format. 19-yr-old Kartik Sharma, Right handed WK Batter who bats at 4,5 for his state team.T20s: 334 runs in 12 matches SR 162.93 (28 sixes)List A: 445 runs Avg 55.63FC: 479 runs Avg 43.55Another smart move for CSK at ₹14 Cr 💛 pic.twitter.com/yJdtStWxA8 — Mention Cricket (@MentionCricket) December 16, 2025 Kartik impressed once again in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as a middle-order batter. Much like the previous season, he scored several rapid innings, turning the tables with his six-hitting skills in the final overs of a match. IPL Trials and Auction Drama Kartik’s pace accelerated further after a brilliant IPL trials performance with Kolkata Knight Riders. During trials, he is said to have scored a ton with a strike rate of close to 285. This act triggered a huge stir in IPL teams and scouts. The bidding war between Lucknow Super Giants and KKR started at the auction. As the bidding amount grew, other teams like CSK joined the process. Once the bidding amount exceeded ₹14 crores, SRH joined the bidding process aggressively. KKR stepped back, and CSK decided to go all out to buy Kartik for ₹14.20 crores. Also Read | Who Is Auqib Nabi? Jammu and Kashmir Pacer Sold for ₹8.4 Crore at IPL 2026 Auction Why CSK Went Big on Kartik Sharma The Chennai Super Kings feel that Kartik Sharma has a lot of value in store. Kartik has the ability to keep wickets as well as finish off matches. This makes him a complete package in modern T20 cricket. The CSK management is also keen on promoting young Indian cricketers and giving them a clear role in the side. Kartik fits into this strategy as well. They also feel that his impeccable performance in his homeland and his Dare-to-Difference approach make him a much more valuable acquisition than a short-term one for CSK. They see him as an impactful result-producer and a valuable team-man of the future. Kartik Sharma’s rags-to-riches IPL journey is just about to begin, having made it to the IPL jackpot at the tender age of 19. If things go as they are, CSK just found themselves a game-changing finisher.