Kartik Sharma is a 19-year-old Indian cricketer from Rajasthan who plays as a right-handed, batting-first wicketkeeper. He rose to national attention after Chennai Super Kings signed him for ₹14.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, making him one of the most expensive uncapped players in league history. Kartik is regarded as a multi-format batting prospect with strong temperament and long-term potential.
Kartik Sharma Personal Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kartik Sharma |
| Age | 19 |
| Playing role | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Batting style | Right-handed batter |
| Wicketkeeping role | Batting-first wicketkeeper |
| Domestic team | Rajasthan |
| IPL team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| IPL auction | Bought for ₹14.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, becoming one of the most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL history |
Who is Kartik Sharma?
Kartik Sharma enters the IPL 2026 cycle as one of the most exciting uncapped Indian batters in the system, and at just 19 years of age, his rise has already forced every serious franchise to take notice. A right-handed wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, Kartik is not a one-format curiosity or a fleeting T20 story. He is a genuine batting prospect with credentials across red-ball, List A, and T20 cricket.
When we look at Kartik Sharma, we are not talking about raw talent alone. We are talking about output, temperament, and a skill set that translates across formats. That combination is rare, especially at this age, and it explains why CSK were willing to make one of the boldest statements of the IPL 2026 auction.
Kartik Sharma becomes highest paid Uncapped Player
At the IPL 2026 auction, Kartik Sharma’s name became part of IPL history. Bought by CSK for ₹14.20 crore from a base price of ₹30 lakh, he became the joint most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL auction history, alongside Prashanth Veer.
As with Veer, this was not a price driven by hype or social media noise. Multiple teams had tracked Kartik closely, and the bidding reflected serious conviction. For CSK, the decision was the result of sustained scouting rather than a last-minute impulse.
Reports indicate that Chennai Super Kings first looked at Kartik in a closed scouting camp, followed by a more formal trial later in the season. Two separate evaluations, under different conditions, helped the management assess not just his strokeplay but his temperament and composure as a wicketkeeper-batter. By the time the auction arrived, the internal clarity was already there.
Why CSK paid 14.2 crores for Kartik Sharma?
CSK have always valued players who can grow into responsibility rather than demand it immediately. Kartik Sharma fits that philosophy perfectly.
He is a batting-first wicketkeeper, not a keeper who happens to bat. His ability to score runs across formats, absorb pressure, and then shift gears is what separates him from many age-group graduates. Add to that his athletic wicketkeeping, and you have a modern white-ball profile that is incredibly difficult to source domestically.
From a squad-building perspective, Kartik gives us long-term flexibility. He can bat in the middle order, finish innings in T20S, and eventually take on more responsibility as his game matures. At 19, that runway matters.
Kartik Sharma Domestic Stats
Kartik Sharma caught widespread attention due to his consistent domestic numbers across formats. Three first-class centuries, an average above 55 in List A cricket, and a T20 strike rate over 160 highlighted both his temperament and scoring range, marking him as a serious long-term batting prospect.
Kartik sharma Batting statistics
Kartik Sharma’s numbers across formats underline why franchises viewed him as a serious investment rather than a speculative pick.
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s |
| FC | 8 | 11 | 479 | 139 | 43.54 | 79.04 | 3 | 0 |
| List A | 9 | 8 | 445 | 123 | 55.62 | 118.03 | 2 | 2 |
| T20s | 12 | 11 | 334 | 58 | 30.36 | 162.92 | 0 | 2 |
These numbers tell a very clear story. In first-class cricket, three hundreds in just eight matches point to temperament and conversion ability. In List A cricket, an average above 55 with two hundreds explains why he topped Rajasthan’s Vijay Hazare Trophy charts. In T20s, a strike rate of 162.92 confirms his ability to finish games aggressively.
This is not a one-dimensional profile. This is a batter who understands situations.
A domestic season that put him on the map
Kartik Sharma’s domestic journey accelerated rapidly during the 2024–25 season. His Ranji Trophy debut century against Uttarakhand was a defining moment, instantly establishing him as more than just a white-ball prospect. Scoring a hundred on debut in red-ball cricket speaks volumes about temperament, especially for a teenager.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy further reinforced his credentials. Finishing as Rajasthan’s leading run-scorer with 445 runs in nine matches, Kartik showed consistency, shot selection, and the ability to bat long without losing scoring momentum. Those performances elevated his reputation beyond state cricket circles.
In the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his role shifted. Batting lower down the order, Kartik played explosive cameos, scoring 133 runs in five matches at a strike rate above 160. These were not big innings, but they were impactful ones, the kind that tilt games late and complement stronger top orders.
How Kartik fits into the CSK system?
For CSK, Kartik Sharma is a long-term play, not a short-term fix. He gives us a wicketkeeper-batter who can be eased into the IPL environment, learn under senior players, and gradually expand his role.
His batting allows us flexibility in combinations, especially in T20S, where finishing power and adaptability are premium assets. Over time, his multi-format background gives him the tools to handle pressure situations rather than being overwhelmed by them.
We did not buy Kartik Sharma because he is ready to dominate the IPL immediately. We bought him because he has the foundations to become a core CSK player over the next cycle.
At 19, with this domestic body of work already behind him, Kartik Sharma represents an investment in both talent and time. And for us, that has always been a winning formula.
FAQs
Who is Kartik Sharma?
Kartik Sharma is a 19-year-old Indian cricketer from Rajasthan who plays as a right-handed, batting-first wicketkeeper. He was signed by Chennai Super Kings at the IPL 2026 auction after impressing across domestic formats.
Why did CSK buy Kartik Sharma?
CSK bought Kartik Sharma for his strong domestic batting record, composure at a young age, and ability to perform across red-ball, List A, and T20 formats, making him a long-term investment rather than a short-term pick.
How old is Kartik Sharma?
Kartik Sharma is 19 years old and entered the IPL 2026 cycle as one of the youngest uncapped players to attract a major auction bid.
Is Kartik Sharma a wicketkeeper-batter?
Yes, Kartik Sharma is a batting-first wicketkeeper. His primary strength is his run-scoring ability, with wicketkeeping viewed as a complementary skill rather than his main role.
