19-year-old wicketkeeper/batter Kartik Sharma became the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. He was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for an eye-watering price of Rs 14.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. So, who is this young prodigy?
Who Is Kartik Sharma?
Born on April 26, 2006, Kartik Sharma is based in the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. In the last year, he has represented the state at the domestic level. A decent wicketkeeper, Sharma was scouted by several IPL franchises for his ability to hit big sixes in the lower-middle order.
Presented at the base price of Rs. 30 lakh, the bids for Kartik jumped up almost immediately. Soon going past the 1 crore mark and rocketing upwards.
The Kolkata Knight Riders and the Lucknow Super Giants escalated the bid to Rs. 5 crore, a massive price for a young uncapped Indian. As soon as LSG fell out of contention, the Super Kings started up their baton.
Soon, the price went past 10 crore, making him the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. But the price did not stop there, as the final bid by CSK was worth Rs. 14.20 crore. He will play in the IPL for the first time.
Kartik Sharma has played several domestic tournaments for Rajasthan. But his most notable performances came in the group stages of the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In India’s top-level domestic T20 competition, the 19-year-old scored 133 runs in five matches at a strike rate of over 160.
In his T20 career so far, Kartik has played 12 matches, in which he has hit a staggering 28 sixes.
The very next player on the docket was bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer, who joined Kartik Sharma in becoming the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history, also going for Rs. 14.20 crore to CSK as well.
Both these players broke the record set by the Lucknow Super Giants, who bought a then-uncapped Avesh Khan for Rs. 10 crore ahead of IPL 2022.
The IPL 2026 auction is turning into a party for uncapped prospects, as several have been bought for prices usually reserved for top-level international cricketers.
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