Uncapped sensation Kartik Sharma his long-time favorite IPL franchise; recalls an inspiring chat with one of the league’s biggest figures

Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batsman, Kartik Sharmahas become one of the most talked about and trending local talents IPL 2026 Auction On December 16th.

The 19-year-old, known for his explosive power, has successfully completed tryouts for several major franchises, building on his strong performances in… Syed Mushtaq Ali Award (SMAT) And the last first class horns. Ahead of the auction, Sharma openly discussed the extensive tryout process, revealing the high-level teams that have shown interest and providing insight into his interactions with coaches and mentors. Notably, he didn’t hesitate to announce his favorite long-time franchise, while also participating in an encouraging exchange with one of the biggest names in the league.

Kartik Sharma is extensive Whiskers andExperience a farm experience

Ambient attention Kartik Sharmawho set his base price at a modest INR 30 lakh, was intense, leading to him being invited for trials by more than half of the franchises in the league. This wave of invitations underscores the high demand for young, home-grown talent with dual skills, especially wicketkeeper-batsmen, in the Indian Premier League.

Kartik appeared in an interview with YT channel to change the game He confirmed that he has spent a significant amount of time demonstrating his skills to both the coaching staff and recruiting teams at several major franchises, indicating a serious level of interest from teams looking to secure unplayed players with high potential. Kartik gave a complete list of the teams that invited him, saying:

“I have attended trials for six to seven franchises so far. Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Chennai, RCB, RR, Delhi. My practice matches in Chennai went well. Mahi Bhaiya did not come. But other staff were there and said they enjoyed my batting.”

This comprehensive list, including auction heavyweights such as CSK, MI and defending champions RCB, shows the level of interest he has received. His recent strong domestic form, including scoring 133 runs at a strike rate of 160.24 In the SMAT and smashing two first-class centuries (120 against Delhi and 139 against Mumbai), he cemented his place as a prime target in the never-before-seen group of players (Group 8).

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team-ahead-of-2026-mini-auction">Kartik’s favorite IPL team ahead of the 2026 mini-auction

In a major revelation, Kartik revealed his favorite team, which is especially important in light of the upcoming auction. The young star has publicly expressed his deep admiration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Franchise who secures their first title in 2025. This preference could subtly influence the bidding dynamics, should RCB enter the fray for him. Moreover, Kartik shared the valuable mentorship experience he gained during the trial process, where he received first-hand advice from the veteran wicket-keeper and RCB mentor, Dinesh Karthik. This interaction highlighted the specific aspects of his game that the franchise is keen to develop.

Kartik has been open about his loyalty to the franchise and the encouraging advice he has received:

“My favorite franchise is RCB and I received a message from DK Sir… DK bhaiya spoke to me during the trials. He said I was batting well and advised me to focus more on keeping the ball.”

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When asked which team he would like to play for, Kartik said there is no such thing, I just want to play IPL.
When asked about his favorite team in IPL, he said that he supports RCB.
VC: YT’s game-changing channel (@manoj_dimri)#IPL2026 #IPLAuction #IPL #RCB cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="exclude">#cricket https://t.co/SKmGW27gLF pic.twitter.com/7eIynbQDc1

– Surende Singh 💗 (@Surende26790545) December 13, 2025

The advice to focus on ball retention is very strategic, as his primary role in the IPL will be to provide a reliable wicket-keeping option along with his proven batting talent. Kartik’s success against top domestic teams, coupled with vocal interest from teams like RCB and positive feedback from CSK staff, strongly suggests that his name, listed at a base price of INR 30 lakh, will quickly become one of the most strong bids in the uncapped category of the IPL 2026 auction.

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