'Chhota packet, bada dhamaka’: Kartik Sharma’s journey from hitting big sixes to a Rs 14.20 crore IPL deal

Kartik Sharma, once a five-year-old wielding a plastic bat and dreaming of hitting towering sixes, has seen his aspirations take flight through sheer determination, expert guidance, and a fearless approach to the game. The 19-year-old's recent ₹14.20 crore deal with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is a testament to his hard work and marks just the beginning of his pursuit of representing India on the international stage.

Lokendra Singh Chahar recalls the day he first saw Kartik at his academy in Agra. The young boy, barely five years old, was perched on his father's shoulders, clutching a plastic bat. Kartik's father, Manoj Kumar, a passionate cricket enthusiast himself, harbored a dream that his son would achieve what he couldn't: a career as a professional cricketer.

"He was just a little guy with a plastic bat, telling me he wanted to be known for hitting sixes," Lokendra Singh Chahar, who also trained his son Deepak Chahar and nephew Rahul Chahar, told TimesofIndia.com. That dream took a giant leap forward when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured Kartik's services for ₹14.20 crore after a heated bidding war during the IPL 2026 Mini Auction.

Despite the life-changing windfall, the young cricketer remains grounded. "I was calm. Honestly, I'm not feeling much right now. My family is ecstatic, though – they've been celebrating since my batting clips went viral," the 19-year-old shared. His immediate plans reflect his gratitude: "The first thing I’ll do is visit the local sweet shop and then go to the homes of the people who have been my biggest supporters. There are about six or seven of them, and I want to thank them personally." A quick trip from his hometown, Bharatpur, to Agra to express his gratitude to the Chahars is also on his agenda.

While Lokendra Singh Chahar provided coaching, Kartik also credits Deepak Chahar, whose bat he still uses. Five years ago, Deepak gifted him a pair of wicketkeeping gloves, advising him to develop his skills behind the stumps to avoid becoming a one-dimensional player. Kartik acknowledges the influence of the Chahar brothers: "I never really looked up to any other role models. I grew up watching Deepak bhaiya and Rahul bhaiya, and they both went on to play for India. I didn't need to look anywhere else." He adds, laughing, "I wasn't always a wicketkeeper. About four years ago, Deepak bhaiya suggested I give it a try, and I said, 'Yes, bhaiya, I will!'"

Before the IPL auction, Kartik had already caught the attention of several franchises, attending trials for seven teams. He impressed with his power-hitting, smashing 18 sixes during a trial for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and also left a mark on Dinesh Karthik at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp. Karthik, impressed by Kartik's batting, urged him to strive for continuous improvement and aim for greatness. Kartik recalls, "Aside from GT, Punjab, and LSG, I trialed for every other team. When I went for the RCB trial, I met Dinesh Karthik. He advised me to keep working hard and never be satisfied. He said I have what it takes to play for India and that even a big IPL contract shouldn't be the limit. I'm really thankful for his advice."

Lokendra Singh Chahar is confident that this is just the beginning for Kartik. He emphasizes the youngster's dedication: "He never shies away from hard work. His father was his first coach, and I've coached him for 14 years, but it's his own hunger that has driven him to this point." Chahar recalls Kartik's early dedication, "At eight years old, he was already facing 500 balls a day. He was a natural power hitter. By 13, he was playing for our club's senior team in tournaments with significant prize money." He remembers one instance where Kartik scored 300 runs in a 50-over local match. Chahar also admits to having been strict with Kartik, saying, "I've scolded him a lot, and yes, I've even used my hands sometimes. He's extremely naughty!" He recounts a match where Kartik, after winning the toss, chose to bat first on a green pitch against their planned strategy to bowl. When questioned, Kartik's response was, "Sir, they'll get out quickly, and I won't get a chance to bat!" Chahar acknowledges that Kartik's aggressive approach sometimes led to losses, as he consistently aimed for 300 runs in every game.

Kartik attributes his six-hitting ability to his father's influence. "My father used to hit big sixes himself. He was a cricketer but later stopped playing. He focused on developing my power-hitting. From the age of five, after we moved to Agra, he would throw me 200-300 balls after my regular training. His only instruction was: 'Just hit sixes!'" Chahar elaborates on the physical attributes that contribute to Kartik's power: "His wrists and forearms are incredibly strong. He generates tremendous power. His bat swing is exceptional, and most importantly, he has a solid base."

Chahar also remembers a conversation involving himself, Deepak, and Kartik, which steered the young player towards wicketkeeping and becoming a finisher. "Deepak cautioned him that keeping wickets is a thankless job. He said that if you drop a catch, you'll be criticized, but if you make a great catch, people will just say it was the gloves. He pointed out that nobody really enjoys keeping, not even MS Dhoni. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he emphasized that being a wicketkeeper who can bat at No. 5 or 6 significantly increases your value and earning potential in the IPL." Deepak's words proved to be insightful as Kartik's abilities created a buzz in Abu Dhabi.

Rajasthan's head coach, Anshu Jain, describes him as a "chhota packet, bada dhamaka" (small package, big impact). He recalls, "Two years ago, he was playing U-19 cricket when someone told me about an exceptional talent coming through. When he hits the ball, it stays hit. I believe you'll see him playing for India very soon." Kartik's father, Manoj, overwhelmed with emotion, now hopes his son will set his sights on representing India. "The IPL is a great achievement, but now he needs to dream of playing for India and representing the country in all three formats," he says, adding, "I'm speechless. This is a life-changing moment for all of us." Kartik, acknowledging his father's emotions, pledges to embrace the challenges ahead. "I want to play all three formats, but for now, I just want an opportunity. No matter the format, I'm eager to play," he asserts.