A new chapter awaits Kartik Sharma in his cricketing journey as he is set to captain Rajasthan ahead of its second round of Ranji Trophy 2026–27. At just 20, the young batter is ready to embrace a fresh challenge and make his mark beyond the crease.
Stepping into the captaincy spotlight, Kartik Sharma will look to combine his batting prowess with tactical maturity as Rajasthan begins a fresh chapter under his leadership.
Kartik’s Phenomenal Run in Domestic Cricket
Rajasthan has turned to promising youngster Kartik Sharma to lead the side against Railways in its second Ranji Trophy 2026–27 fixture. Regular skipper Manav Suthar’s departure for India A duty in New Zealand has opened the door for the 20-year-old to take charge of the team. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in Kartik’s cricketing career, built on impressive red-ball performances.
Sharma first announced himself during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, smashing a brilliant 115 off just 113 deliveries against Uttarakhand. His temperament was equally evident in Rajasthan’s opening match this season against Tamil Nadu. With the team struggling at 31/4, the right-hander delivered a gritty 42 off 75 balls in the second innings and stitched a crucial 78-run partnership with Mahipal Lomror, protecting the side from a potential batting collapse. The knock highlighted his ability to adapt when the situation demanded patience rather than aggression.
Speaking on the eve of the clash against Railways, the right-hander reflected on his previous leadership experience, revealing that he had captained Rajasthan at the Under-19 level. Prioritizing his teammates’ comfort, he emphasized that because the squad mostly comprised his contemporaries alongside a few senior players, he would strive to remain humble in his approach to everyone.
Kartik Sharma Credits CSK Stint for Improving His Game
Kartik Sharma credits his stint with Chennai Super Kings for improving his match awareness and teaching him the patience required to adapt his batting to different situations. He stated that MS Dhoni had deeply influenced his batting approach by advising him to prioritize timing over power hitting. Chennai Super Kings veteran MS Dhoni encouraged Kartik to play according to his natural timing, reinforcing the importance of adapting his approach to suit his abilities. Advice from Dhoni has helped the youngster develop a more composed and smart approach at the crease.
The right-handed batter also enjoyed an outstanding IPL outing with CSK in his debut season months back, scoring 295 runs across 11 games, including two fifties. Alongside his promising red-ball performances in domestic cricket, his IPL exploits have raised his profile at a young age. Having already demonstrated his batting talent across formats, Sharma now has an exciting opportunity to showcase his leadership skills and make a mark as Rajasthan’s captain.
