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"Hits lot of sixes": Chopra predicts Rajasthan boy to become highest-paid uncapped player

Harsh Adwani

Chopra names uncapped player who can fetch the highest amount [Source: @JunaidKhanation/x.com]Chopra names uncapped player who can fetch the highest amount [Source: @JunaidKhanation/x.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) player auctions for the 2026 season are set to get underway in a few days. As many as 1355 players will go under the hammer for the upcoming edition. Former Indian batter turned expert, Aakash Chopra, has now predicted that this edition could see the record bid for an uncapped player.

Chopra believes Rajasthan’s 19-year-old wicketkeeper batter Kartik Sharma will be the most sought-after uncapped player. He is a high-impact player who bats in the middle order. His strike rate in the 10 games that he has played so far is an impressive 165.55.

The 48-year-old believes Chennai Super Kings or Kolkata Knight Riders can go after him in the auction since they have the highest remaining purse. KKR will head into the auctions with a purse of INR 64.3 crores, while CSK have INR 43.4 crores remaining.

“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 (Chennai Super Kings). 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.

R Ashwin and Kevin Pietersen impressed by Kartik

Not just Chopra, but other players are impressed by the emerging cricketer already. Reposting one of Kartik’s videos of him hitting a powerful straight six, Kevin Pietersen wrote on X, “Who is this?”

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was also impressed by Kartik. He said that the player is baggage-free and that he can be counted on to deliver. He added that it is never easy for a youngster to come in the middle order in T20s and deliver, which Kartik has done.

“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 on his YouTube channel.

The IPL player auctions will be held on the 16th of December in Abu Dhabi. All teams will look to fill in their gaps to build a proper squad for the 2026 season.