CSK & KKR will battle for highest-paid uncapped player at IPL 2026 auction, predicts Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra has predicted who the highest-paid uncapped player will be in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. The former Indian cricketer has picked Kartik Sharma as the most sought-after uncapped player.

For those who don’t know, Kartik’s a 19-year-old wicketkeeper batter from Rajasthan. Youth and all-around skill aside, Kartik also happens to be a high-impact player who bats in the middle order.

In the ongoing 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Kartik has been in sublime touch. So far, he scored 35 (17) against Tamil Nadu, 16 (10) against Tripura, and 46 (31) against Karnataka. His T20 record’s great. After 10 matches, Kartik’s strike rate stands at an impressive 165.55.

Kartik Sharma to make a big impact at auction?

Aakash isn’t the only one who’s impressed with Kartik. A few days ago, former England batter Kevin Pietersen was also in awe of his batting ability. Aakash thinks that Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) could go after the 19-year-old at the IPL 2026 auction.

Who is this? https://t.co/s2ZbjdS6lX

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) November 20, 2025

Cricket

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“The batting has been overhauled because Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda have been released. Hooda has set the stage on fire for Rajasthan. However, will the team look back towards him? I am not sure. Although it seems they don’t need batting considering the form of the top six, I feel they need batting because they have also released Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.

I feel they will shop for batters. There is a boy named Kartik Sharma. He hits a lot of sixes. He can go to Kolkata as well, as he is a wicketkeeper-batter, and he can also come here. He is a Rajasthan boy and might be the highest-paid uncapped player in this auction. He might go to them. There is a strong possibility,” Aakash said on his YouTube channel.

The former Delhi cricketer isn’t the only one who’s noticed Kartik. Ravichandran Ashwin also thinks the youngster could be one for a long time. The spinner reckons middle-order batters like him are rare commodities and could be valuable.

“He is young and baggage-free. He is a power hitter in the middle order. You can say that you can bank on his talent. It is easier to bat there, but for a youngster to come in and create impact in the middle order in T20 cricket is not easy,” Ashwin had said a few days ago on his YouTube channel.

Highest-paid uncapped player in IPL auction history

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