Kartik Sharma’s IPL 2026 campaign for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) began with a slow start, but the right-hander has quickly found traction in the middle order—turning notable starts into a run of scores and drawing praise from Ambati Rayudu, who believes the youngster is evolving into a complete batter on suitable surfaces.
Key takeaways
- CSK spent INR 14.2 crore to secure Kartik Sharma at the IPL 2026 auction, and it took him six innings to surpass the 18-run mark for his best score up to that point.
- Since that breakthrough, Kartik has followed with scores of 54* (not out), 41* (not out), 20, and 71 — the last coming against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday.
- Rayudu said Kartik is “turning into a complete middle-order batter,” especially on conditions that play to his strengths at home in India.
- In the LSG match, Kartik reached his fifty after the 21st over (in nine more balls from 29 off 26), including a six off a slower ball struck over extra cover.
- Rayudu highlighted Kartik’s readiness against short-pitched pace and his improved reading of spin-length as key areas of progress.
From power-hitting prospect to growing middle-order role
Kartik initially entered IPL attention—and CSK’s plans—because of his aggressive, fast-scoring style. He had already been working with CSK during the previous season, but his domestic performances then helped sharpen his reputation: at the Ranji Trophy for Rajasthan, he led the six-hitting charts in the early phase, before accelerating even further in the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 11 maximums off just 83 deliveries.
So far in the IPL 2026, he is CSK’s third-leading run-scorer, sitting behind Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad, with 244 runs to his name. His output has included 14 sixes and 18 fours in the innings counted in this run tally—numbers that remain only behind Samson’s.
Rayudu’s praise after Kartik’s 71 vs LSG
Rayudu’s strongest impression from Kartik’s 71 off 42 balls—an innings later overshadowed in the broader tournament narrative by Mitchell Marsh’s 90 off 38—was the composure shown against short-pitched fast bowling. He pointed out that Kartik looked properly prepared for pace attacks that rely on bouncers, and added that the youngster’s approach to spin has also stood out, particularly in how he reads the length early.
“I think it’s been exceptional. I think he was prepared for a lot of short stuff against a team that has good fast bowlers, which tells you his preparation has been spot on,” Rayudu said. “His game against spin too has been quite exceptional in reading length. I just think he’s turning into a complete middle-order matter—especially for conditions at home in India, he is looking very, very good.”
How Kartik changed gears in the LSG game
Against LSG, Kartik’s shift in tempo was especially noticeable. After the 12th over, he was 29 off 26. From there, he moved to his half-century after another nine balls, with a standout shot coming off a slower ball outside off stump: he stepped into the delivery and sent it over extra cover for six.
Overall, he finished with five maximums and six boundaries in his knock. He was dismissed two balls after hitting left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed for 6, 4, 4 in quick succession. Rayudu also noted the contrast in his season’s pattern: Kartik has faced a high percentage of dot balls this year—40%—yet he has still managed to strike a six roughly every 12 to 13 balls, showing he can flip the scoreboard when set-ups come his way.
In Rayudu’s view, that ability gives Kartik the power to manufacture big hits “almost at will,” but he believes the next step is learning to manage strike rotation more consistently as he continues to mature at the crease.
Learning the “nitty-gritties” of batting at Nos. 4 and 5
Rayudu added that Kartik is capable of clearing the ropes against both pace and spin, and that his batting craft should keep improving with confidence and experience. “He’ll know his single options or double options on a certain pitch. Once he starts getting into those nitty-gritties, I feel the strike rate also will improve,” he said, framing progress as a blend of skill and match awareness.
He also praised how quickly Kartik has adapted to demanding batting positions. Early in the IPL, Kartik batted at No. 6 and No. 7 for a stretch—numbers Rayudu stressed are not easy roles. But once he shifted to No. 4 or No. 5, his performances have come “exceptionally well.” Rayudu described him as a fast learner, adding that his rise has been rapid and that his current direction looks promising for both the player and CSK.
A parallel CSK auction story—and a clear reason for optimism
Kartik’s emergence comes alongside another CSK auction acquisition: Prashant Veer, who was also bought for INR 14.2 crore and earmarked as a rookie to watch. While Veer hasn’t received many opportunities yet, Kartik has—making the most of his chances and providing clear signs of future value for CSK.
