Teacher’s Son Kartik Sharma Bags ₹14.20 Crore in IPL Auction, Father Shifted Cities to Nurture His Cricket Dream

Celebrations erupted in Agra on Tuesday evening as 19-year-old Kartik Sharma, an uncapped cricketer and son of a schoolteacher, scripted a fairytale moment at the IPL auction by fetching a staggering ₹14.20 crore. The young batter was picked up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after an intense bidding war, making him one of the most talked-about names of the auction.

Kartik, who represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket, has emerged as a symbol of perseverance and passion. His remarkable rise is being widely seen as a reward for consistent performances in recent domestic tournaments. Following his selection, Malti Chahar congratulated him on social media, calling him “Chennai’s new young sensation.”

Kartik’s father, Manoj Sharma, a teacher by profession, recalled his son’s early fascination with cricket. “Kartik picked up the bat when he was just two-and-a-half years old. His dedication was evident from the very beginning,” he said. Recognising his son’s unwavering passion, the family took a bold decision to leave Agra and shift to Bharatpur, so Kartik could get better training facilities.

In Bharatpur, Kartik was enrolled at SR Cricket Academy, where he trained under coach Shatrughan Tiwari. His talent soon stood out, earning him selection in Rajasthan’s Under-14 team at the age of 13. He later progressed to the Under-16 level, steadily building his cricketing credentials.

On the advice of his coach, Kartik later returned to Agra to train at the Goyanka–Chahar Cricket Academy, where he spent nearly a year honing his skills under Lokendra Chahar, father and coach of Indian pacer Deepak Chahar. In 2024, Kartik made his senior domestic debut for Rajasthan, featuring in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

The moment CSK’s bid crossed ₹14 crore, emotions ran high at Kartik’s home. Family members watched the auction live on television, their hearts pounding with every raised paddle. When the hammer finally came down at ₹14.20 crore, the house erupted in joy. Kartik’s parents, siblings and relatives hugged each other as phone calls poured in from well-wishers.

While expressing happiness, Manoj Sharma also underlined the responsibility that comes with such a big contract. “With such a huge amount comes greater responsibility. The biggest joy for us is that Kartik will play under the leadership of MS Dhoni,” he said.

Reacting to his selection, an emotional Kartik Sharma said, “I was very nervous and scared of going unsold. When the bidding started, I couldn’t control my tears. Even after it ended, I kept crying. The thought of playing alongside Mahi bhai excites me beyond words.”

The evening brought more cheer for Agra as seasoned leg-spinner Rahul Chahar was also picked by Chennai Super Kings for ₹5.20 crore, marking his fourth IPL franchise after stints with Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

With Kartik Sharma’s journey from a teacher’s son to a multi-crore IPL signing, Agra has found a new cricketing hero—one whose story reflects sacrifice, determination and the power of dreams backed by family support.