Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has urged Chennai Super Kings to release Kartik Sharma and buy him back at INR 5.5 crore in IPL 2027 mini auction. Sharma was roped in by the five-time champions for a massive amount of INR 14.20 crore.
The right-hander scored 295 runs in 11 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 32.77 and a strike rate of 136.57. Thus, the youngster was one of the positives for CSK in a disappointing season as they had failed to reach the playoff stages.
Srikkanth said none of the teams will target Kartik Sharma in the upcoming auction.
“Matthew Short, Zak Foulkes, Prashant Veer, and Matt Henry are surely out. If I was CSK, I would release Kartik Sharma also and try to get him back at a lesser price. You can buy him back for 5.5 crores as no one else will take him, given their stocks,” said Srikkanth on Cheeky Cheeka.
According to reports, CSK are in trade talks with Delhi Capitals. CSK are looking to rope in Ashutosh Sharma and Axar Patel from DC in exchange for Dewald Brevies and Noor Ahmad. Srikkanth said he doesn’t want Brevis to be traded out.
“I won’t let go of Brevis. He’s a one-man match-winner. Axar Patel coming to CSK is a good idea, but not at the cost of Brevis. Brevis is a big reason why CSK’s batting lineup looks strong. So why should they let go of him? I won’t sacrifice Brevis for sure,” said Srikkanth.
The 1983 World Cup winner said CSK have a bigger plan in mind after they traded in Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards from SRH and gave them Nathan Ellis and Khaleel Ahmed.
He concluded, “There is definitely some other bigger plan CSK have. They’ll try to have a fresh set of fast bowlers. Because just this trade is more confusing than convincing. Just this trade was won by SRH. Their pace attack has become deadly. But for CSK, they obviously have something up their sleeve.”
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa in mid-December.
