- KR Bharat
- 2025-12-17
Kartik Sharma Becomes Joint-Highest Paid Uncapped IPL Player, Overwhelmed with Emotion
Mumbai: Nineteen-year-old Kartik Sharma was left in tears after five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured him for a record Rs 14.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, making him the joint-highest paid uncapped player in the league’s history.
Coming into the auction at a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Kartik, alongside Uttar Pradesh’s Prashant Veer, set a new benchmark when CSK splurged Rs 14.20 crore on each of them in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Kartik expressed his excitement at the opportunity to play alongside MS Dhoni and thanked his family for their unwavering support. “I couldn’t stop crying even when the bidding ended. This is a dream come true,” he said.
The record deal highlights the growing demand for young talent in the IPL, with franchises willing to invest heavily in uncapped players showing promise. Analysts noted that Kartik’s impressive domestic performances and potential as a dynamic all-rounder played a key role in his high valuation.
With the IPL 2026 season approaching, all eyes will be on the teenager as he prepares to make his debut alongside some of the biggest names in cricket.
