The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been hit with a major scare ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 following a frightening incident involving their record-breaking uncapped star. Kartik Sharma, who was acquired for a staggering INR 14.20 crore, suffered a painful collapse while competing in a high-profile Mewar Cup 2026 tournament. This injury has sent shockwaves through the CSK fanbase, especially as the five-time champions have invested nearly 15% of their total auction purse into the 19-year-old talent.
The Mewar Cup 2026 incident: Kartik Sharma collapses in pain
The incident occurred on February 19, 2026, during a league match in the PIMS Mewar Cup Season 4 in Udaipur. While batting on 39 runs from just 14 balls, Sharma appeared to be in a explosive rhythm, as he smashed three consecutive boundaries, before tragedy struck just as the bowler Vipraj Nigam was running in to bowl the fourth ball.
Visuals from the ground showed the young batter suddenly clutching his lower back and collapsing to the turf in intense agony. Team physios rushed to the field to provide immediate medical attention, but Sharma was unable to continue and had to be retired hurt. While the exact nature of the injury is still being evaluated, initial reports suggest it is a severe back sprain or muscle tear, with many observers describing the scene as ‘nasty’.
Here’s the video:
— CRICKET HUB (@onlyjayX53) February 20, 2026
Also READ: Who is Kartik Sharma? The ₹14.2 crore record-breaker signed by CSK
CSK’s new find Karthik Sharma: Joint-most uncapped player in IPL history
Kartik Sharma became the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history, sharing the record with teammate Prashant Veer, after a fierce bidding war saw his price jump from a INR 30 lakh base price to INR 14.20 crore. His meteoric rise is backed by extraordinary domestic numbers for Rajasthan, including:
- Explosive T20 Hitting: A strike rate of 162.92 in the shortest format, where he hit 28 sixes in just 11 innings.
- Debut Brilliance: A century (113) against Uttarakhand for Rajasthan on his Ranji Trophy debut and another on his Vijay Hazare Trophy debut.
- Consistent Power: He finished as the highest six-hitter of the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy and has over 11,000 runs in grassroots cricket with a career strike rate of 150+.
Regarding his availability for IPL 2026, his status is currently unclear. With the IPL set to begin in late March, the youngster has approximately one month to recover. If it is a minor back sprain, he may be fit for the season opener; however, any structural damage could force CSK to look for a replacement player for their biggest investment of the auction.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin picks his CSK playing XI for IPL 2026, leaves out ₹14.20 crore rookie
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