Stacy Boit,

“Where talent meets opportunity.”

The motto engraved on the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy neatly captures its wider impact.

Beyond transforming the sport’s economics and global appeal, the tournament has become the most significant pathway for emerging cricketers in India. Each season, it throws up new uncapped players, many of whom go on to represent the national team.

The ongoing iteration is no different. Among the breakout names are Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, two youngsters with minimal first-class experience who were both signed for £1.15m, making them the most expensive uncapped players in the league’s history.

Kartik’s journey began in a small village in Rajasthan. His father, a local cricketer who ran a modest business, was determined his son would achieve what he could not.

“Kartik is from a poor family. His father used to run a small private job in a school, but when Kartik started playing, he left his job and used to bring him to the ground and train with him all day,” his early coach Shatrughan Tiwari says.

Despite limited means, Kartik stood out early. His coaches deliberately shaped his game around a distinct strength.

“Kartik had a rare ability to hit sixes from the very start, so we decided instead of the usual approach, we will make him a hard-hitter and a bottom-handed player,” Shatrughan said. “We wanted him to become a player who goes out and hits it big.” .

The 19-year-old delivered on that promise, building a reputation as a powerful hitter in domestic cricket and attracting the attention of IPL scouts.

“In a trial match for RCB, he hit 18 sixes, some of which hit the roof of Chinnaswamy Stadium. He did similar in CSK trials as well, which is why there was a bidding war for him at the auction,” Shatrughan adds.