Is Bharatpur Celebrating as Kartik Sharma Makes IPL 2026 History?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kartik Sharma achieved a record IPL auction value of Rs. 14.20 crore.
- He is now the joint-costliest uncapped player in IPL history.
- His journey from humble beginnings serves as an inspiration for many.
- Kartik's father made numerous sacrifices to support his cricket career.
- He will represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
Bharatpur, Dec 17 (NationPress) - In a groundbreaking moment during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, Kartik Sharma achieved an unprecedented milestone when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured him for a staggering Rs. 14.20 crore. This remarkable deal positions him as the joint-highest uncapped player in the tournament's history, alongside Prashant Veer, who was also acquired by CSK. The announcement of Kartik’s record-setting bid sparked widespread celebrations throughout the city, filling the air with joy and pride.
At Laxman Mandir Chauraha, officials from the District Cricket Association and enthusiastic cricket fans came together to mark this historic occasion by setting off firecrackers and sharing sweets. Both Kartik and his father, Manoj Sharma, were congratulated via video call.
District Cricket Association Secretary Shatrughan Tiwari expressed to IANS, “Kartik Sharma from Bharatpur has accomplished something extraordinary. His journey from humble beginnings to earning a Rs. 14.20 crore paycheck will inspire numerous aspiring cricketers.”
He highlighted that Kartik’s father made significant sacrifices to support his son’s cricket ambitions. Despite being a medium pace bowler himself, Manoj could not realize his own cricketing dreams due to an injury. However, he dedicated himself to ensuring that financial challenges would not hinder Kartik's path.
In recognition of his talent, Kartik has also been awarded the Mathura Das Mathur Award. To support his son's cricket career, Manoj sold his shops and borrowed extensively, leading the family to relocate to Agra so Kartik could train at the academy run by Lokendra Singh Chahar, father of Indian cricketer Deepak Chahar.
Tiwari noted that Kartik has been associated with the District Cricket Association since childhood, excelling in various levels of cricket including Under-14, Under-16, Under-19, senior cricket, and the Ranji Trophy. His impressive performance during IPL trials also garnered significant attention.
He also pointed out that Kartik possesses the potential to smash the ball beyond the boundary. Initially, it was expected that he would attract a bid of around ₹6–7 crore, but the final offer of ₹14.20 crore took everyone by surprise.
Now, this young keeper-batter is set to don the yellow jersey for CSK, aiming to carve out an even more illustrious career in IPL 2026.