IPL 2026 auction: Who is Kartik Sharma, the 19-year-old who sealed a major ₹14.2 crore deal with CSK

The IPL 2026 auction saw one of its fiercest bidding wars for 19-year-old Kartik Sharma, who was snapped up by CSK for ₹14.2 crore.

The uncapped right-handed batter had entered the auction with a base price of ₹30 lakh, but his recent performances ensured he was firmly on the radar of multiple franchises. Impressive displays at the domestic level sparked aggressive interest, with teams circling quickly as bidding gathered momentum.

Mumbai Indians kick-started the bidding for Kartik at his base price of ₹30 lakh, after which Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants jumped in as the auction heated up and the price surged past ₹5 crore. CSK then went head-to-head with KKR, pushing the stakes significantly higher, while Sunrisers Hyderabad made a late bid to shake things up. Ultimately, CSK emerged on top, clinching the 19-year-old talent for a staggering ₹14.20 crore.


The Rajasthan wicketkeeper is set to make his IPL debut this season.

His numbers underline the hype around him. He has piled up 334 runs in 12 T20 matches at a strike rate of 164, smashing 28 sixes in the process. Kartik announced himself in first-class cricket with a memorable 113 on his Ranji Trophy debut against Uttarakhand during the 2024–25 season. In List A cricket, he emerged as Rajasthan’s top run-scorer, amassing 445 runs in nine matches. Meanwhile, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his composure, versatility and reliable wicketkeeping have marked him out as a genuine dual-role asset.

With this signing, Kartik has become the joint most expensive uncapped player in IPL history, sharing the record with Prashant Veer, after both were snapped up by Chennai Super Kings for the same price.