Kartik Sharma: Player Profile, Career Stats & ₹14.2 Crore IPL 2026 Auction Signing
Kartik Sharma has quickly established himself as one of India’s most exciting young wicketkeeper-batsmen. Born on April 26, 2006, the 19-year-old prodigy has shown remarkable composure, consistency, and attacking intent across formats — qualities that earned him a ₹14.2 crore contract with Chennai Super Kings at the IPL 2026 Auction.
At such a young age, Kartik’s ability to perform in high-pressure domestic matches highlights his readiness for the biggest stage in franchise cricket.
Player Overview
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Full Name: Kartik Sharma
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Date of Birth: April 26, 2006
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Age: 19 years
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Nationality: Indian
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Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman
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Batting Style: Right-handed
Batting Technique & Playing Style
Kartik Sharma is a technically sound right-handed batter who blends classical stroke-play with modern aggression. His strong base, quick hands, and ability to accelerate innings make him effective across formats — whether anchoring an innings in longer formats or providing explosive starts in T20 cricket.
Behind the stumps, he is neat and reliable, adding immense value as a dual-skill player.
Career Statistics Snapshot
Batting & Fielding Performance
Kartik’s numbers across formats underline his consistency and adaptability:
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First-Class Cricket:
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Matches: 8
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Runs: 479
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Highest Score: 139
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Average: 43.54
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Centuries: 3
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List A Cricket:
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Matches: 9
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Runs: 445
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Highest Score: 123
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Average: 55.62
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Centuries: 2 | Fifties: 2
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T20 Cricket:
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Matches: 12
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Runs: 334
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Highest Score: 58
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Strike Rate: 162.92
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Fifties: 2
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These numbers reflect a batter who thrives in pressure situations while maintaining an impressive scoring rate.
Kartik Sharma Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
Bowling
Recent Matches of Kartik Sharma
| Match | Bat | Date | Ground | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan vs Saurashtra | 18 | 04-Dec-2025 | Ahmedabad | T20 |
| Rajasthan vs Uttarakhand | 18 | 02-Dec-2025 | Ahmedabad | T20 |
| Rajasthan vs Karnataka | 46 | 30-Nov-2025 | Ahmedabad | T20 |
| Rajasthan vs Tripura | 16 | 28-Nov-2025 | Ahmedabad | T20 |
| Rajasthan vs Tamil Nadu | 35 | 26-Nov-2025 | Ahmedabad | T20 |
Recent Form & Performances
Kartik Sharma has been in solid form in recent T20 fixtures:
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46 vs Karnataka (Nov 30, 2025)
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35 vs Tamil Nadu (Nov 26, 2025)
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Consistent contributions against Uttarakhand and Saurashtra
His ability to chip in with vital runs regularly has caught the attention of scouts and analysts alike.
IPL 2026 Auction: Chennai Super Kings’ Big Bet
At the IPL 2026 Auction, Chennai Super Kings snapped up Kartik Sharma for ₹14.2 crore, underlining their belief in his long-term potential. Known for backing young Indian talent and shaping them into match-winners, CSK’s investment suggests Kartik could be groomed as a future leader and mainstay in their batting lineup.
Analyst’s Take
At just 19, Kartik Sharma already exhibits the temperament and skill set of a seasoned professional. His ability to adapt across formats, combined with his wicketkeeping skills, makes him a rare and valuable asset in modern cricket. If managed well, Kartik has all the ingredients to become one of India’s premier wicketkeeper-batsmen in the years to come.
