Kartik Sharma became the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL history when Chennai Super Kings shelled out Rs 14.2 crore for the youngster at the auction. With that price tag came enormous expectations, scrutiny and pressure. But after a slow start to IPL 2026, Kartik is finally beginning to justify the faith CSK showed in him, and former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes there may not have been a better franchise for the youngster to develop his game.
Kartik managed just 58 runs from his first five matches and looked like another young player struggling to adapt to the intensity and demands of the IPL. Yet, unlike many franchises that quickly move on from underperforming youngsters, CSK stayed patient.
The franchise not only persisted with him but also trusted him with one of the most crucial roles in the batting order, No. 4.
That trust has started to pay off.
In Chennai Super Kings’ last two matches, Kartik has looked far more assured and composed, guiding successful chases with unbeaten knocks of 54 against Mumbai Indians and 41 against Delhi Capitals away from home.
More than the runs themselves, it was the maturity and calmness in those innings that stood out. According to Bangar, that growth is directly linked to the environment CSK provides.
“I think he’s in the right franchise as well because this is a franchise which will give him a lot of opportunities and he does not really have to worry about his spot,” Bangar said on Jiostar.
“There’s a sense of security when you’re part of the CSK setup, and he’s grown with every game that he’s played.”
Bangar also pointed out a technical aspect of Kartik’s batting that has impressed him.
“What’s good to see is that he looks to hit a lot of balls down the ground with a straight bat and he backs his strength. So that to me is a standout feature,” he explained.
The former India batting coach believes Kartik is still only scratching the surface of his potential and fits perfectly into the kind of players CSK traditionally back over the long haul.
“He’s a work in progress. He’s going to get much, much better and CSK ideally wants a player like that. That has been their template for a number of years now,” Bangar said.
“Somebody like him at No. 4 just fits the bill just about right for their plans.”
For now, CSK’s patience with Kartik Sharma is beginning to look like a long-term investment that could pay off in a massive way in the years to come.
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