Karthik Sharma Shines in IPL, Drawing Comparisons to S. Badrinath

May 19, 2026

New Delhi, May 19: Twenty-year-old Karthik Sharma has made a remarkable impact in his debut season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 276 runs at an impressive average of 34.50 across 10 matches. Former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina has drawn comparisons between the young talent and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star S. Badrinath.

This praise comes after Karthik’s consistent performances throughout the season. After joining the team under a significant contract, he has begun to justify the franchise’s faith in him. Karthik’s confidence has soared in the middle order during CSK’s last five matches.

He has scored 32 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, 71 runs against Lucknow Super Giants, 20 runs against LSG in Chennai, an unbeaten 41 runs against Delhi Capitals, and an unbeaten 54 runs against Mumbai Indians.

Raina believes that CSK has found a long-term solution for its crucial number four position in Karthik Sharma. He compared Karthik’s temperament and clarity in his role to that of Badrinath, who was regarded as one of the most reliable middle-order batsmen for CSK in its early years. Raina noted that Karthik has begun to exhibit similar qualities under pressure this season.

In an interview with ‘JioStar’, Raina stated, “Badrinath always performed well for CSK at number four. The way he batted in that role was exceptional. Now, I think young Karthik Sharma is also fulfilling that role very well. He plays confidently against spin, rotates the strike wisely, handles pace bowling effortlessly, and remains calm under pressure.”

Raina further explained that these are the very traits that made Badrinath such a vital player for Chennai’s batting unit. He added, “These were exactly Badrinath’s strengths, and Karthik is displaying the same qualities.”

Raina concluded, “CSK has invested significantly in him, and he is living up to that trust. He is a fantastic player. I have formed many partnerships with Badrinath, and Karthik is proving to be just as effective at number four.”