Chennai Super Kings handed debuts to four players in their first IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals on Monday, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad confirming at the toss that Sanju Samson, Kartik Sharma, Matt Henry and Matt Short would feature in the playing XI.
However, Samson and Short could not make an impact in their first outing for CSK. Samson was bowled by Nandre Burger while attempting a leg-side flick. The delivery, clocked at 140.2 kmph, moved away and hit the off stump as he departed for 6 off 7 balls.
Short also fell early, with Sandeep Sharma having him caught at midwicket by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
With wickets falling at the top, Kartik Sharma came in to bat at number six in the sixth over. Kartik Sharma too failed on his IPL debut as he was out Lbw by another IPL debutant, Brijesh Sharma.
Kartik was dismissed for 18 runs off 15 balls.
Who is Kartik Sharma?
Kartik’s journey into the IPL has roots in his early years in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. His father, Manoj Kumar, had wanted to become a cricketer himself and pushed his son towards the sport. “He was five, holding a plastic bat in his hands, and his words were: ‘Sir, chakke maarne waala cricketer banna hai’ (I want to be known as a six-hitter),” Lokendra Singh Chahar, who has trained his son Deepak Chahar and nephew Rahul Chahar, had earlier told TimesofIndia.com.
A wicketkeeper-batter known for hitting sixes, Kartik became the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player at an IPL auction when CSK signed him for Rs 14.2 crore.
He was the joint-highest six-hitter in the first phase of the 2025-26 Ranji season and the top six-hitter in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also finished the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season as the joint third-highest six-hitter. After being part of CSK’s wider squad in IPL 2025, he earned a place in the main squad for IPL 2026.
In the match, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to bowl first. Captain Riyan Parag said the decision was due to wet conditions after recent rain.
At the time of writing, CSK were 74 for 7 in 11 overs.
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