Kartik Sharma sparked a significant bidding war at the IPL 2026 auction, ultimately being acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a substantial sum of ₹14.2 crore. As a wicketkeeper-batter hailing from Rajasthan, Sharma drew interest from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), yet CSK remained determined to secure his talents and succeeded in doing so.
Sharma, known for his middle-order batting prowess, has demonstrated his power-hitting capabilities in domestic competitions. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he competed in five matches, accumulating 133 runs at an impressive strike rate of 160.24, indicating his potential as a dynamic finisher for CSK. While his statistics in the tournament may not have been overwhelming, he has developed a reputation as a six-hitting specialist. According to ESPNCricinfo, he is currently dealing with an injury but has proven adept at managing spin bowling, having successfully targeted bowlers like Sai Kishore and Shreyas Gopal during the tournament.
Regarding his overall T20 career, Sharma has recorded a total of 334 runs at a strike rate of 164, with 28 sixes hit in his brief career to date.
Chennai Super Kings began the IPL 2026 auction relatively quietly but became highly active as the segment for uncapped players commenced. In addition to securing Sharma, they also won the bidding for Prashant Veer, also for ₹14.2 crore, making them the two most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. Furthermore, CSK bolstered their squad by acquiring West Indies all-rounder Akeal Hosein for his base price of ₹2 crore, a selection considered advantageous, given his ability to bowl during power plays and contribute with bat late in the innings.
