He became one of the two most expensive uncapped players in IPL history.
Kartik Sharma is one of the most discussed uncapped batters from the IPL 2026 auction. He shared an interesting story about how he developed his power-hitting ability at a young age, citing the major role of his father.
The youngster made headlines at the mini auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16, where he sparked an intense bidding war among former championship-winning sides: Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
CSK entered the IPL 2026 auction with the second-highest purse. They eventually acquired Kartik Sharma for a whopping INR 14.2 crore, making HIM the joint-most-expensive uncapped player in IPL auction history, alongside his CSK teammate Prashant Veer. With his ability to strike the ball cleanly and perform as a wicketkeeper, Kartik is seen as a strong fit for the next-generation CSK setup.
Speaking on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel, the wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan recalled his unconventional batting practice under his father’s mentorship.
“My father would threaten to hit me if I defended the balls. That helped me improve my power-hitting skills. The coach made me practice defensive shots, but my father would scold me, saying he would beat me if I defended the ball. The coach even talked to my father about it, but he still wanted me to hit sixes at home,” Kartik narrated.
This story left host Jatin Sapru stunned. He recalled that previously, coaches used to be strict and would scold youngsters if they played shots in the air.
However, his father’s vision and his skills highlight the fearless mindset that has made Kartik Sharma one of the most promising middle-order batters. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, the 19-year-old scored 133 runs in five innings with an impressive strike rate of 160.24. He hit seven fours and 11 sixes, showcasing his ability to clear the boundary. Overall, he has scored 334 runs at a strike rate of 164, including 28 sixes, in his short career.
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Kartik Sharma asserted that he doesn’t idolise any cricketer. He instead attempts to learn their iconic shots and implement them in his game.
“I don’t have a specific favorite player. However, I learned a lot from Rohit Sharma’s pull shot, Kohli’s cover drive, and Suresh Raina’s lofted drive when he comes down the pitch,” he said.
As the IPL 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on how the young player from Rajasthan uses those backyard lessons and his father’s bold advice to perform for the yellow brigade.
For now, the right-hander is expected to miss the early part of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, which starts on December 24. He is nursing a finger injury. He might play for Rajasthan in the later stages of the tournament, but there’s no clarity on how many games he will miss.
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