NEW DELHI: Lokendra Singh Chahar vividly remembers the day he saw a five-year-old Kartik sitting on his father’s shoulders, holding a plastic bat, at his academy in Agra.
Kartik Sharma’s father, Manoj Kumar — a cricket tragic himself — wanted his son to become a cricketer, a dream he had but failed to fulfil.
“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, told TimesofIndia.com.
On Tuesday, the Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter was sold to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹14.20 crore after a fierce bidding war.
“I was calm. I am not feeling anything. The people in my family are jumping with joy — they’ve been doing that since my batting clips went viral on social media,” the 19-year-old told TimesofIndia.com after his IPL windfall.
“The first thing I will do now is go to the nearest sweet shop and then visit the homes of the people who have supported me the most on this journey. There are six or seven such people, and I will go to each of their houses,” he says.
The teenager is also planning a quick trip to Agra from his hometown, Bharatpur, to pay his respects to the Chahars.
Kartik Sharma represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket. (Instagram)
If Lokendra Singh Chahar trained Kartik, it was Deepak Chahar whose bat Kartik still uses — and who, five years ago, gave him a pair of wicketkeeping gloves and said: “Keeping karna start kar, nahi toh ek dimension ka player reh jaayega” (Start keeping, or you’ll remain a one-dimensional player).
“I never had any role models. I grew up watching Deepak bhaiya and Rahul bhaiya. Both went on to play for India. I never had to look anywhere else,” he laughs.
“I wasn’t a wicketkeeper earlier. Four years ago, Deepak bhaiya asked me if I wanted to keep wickets. I said, ‘Yes bhaiya, I will do it,’” recalls Sharma.
Kartik has been the toast of IPL franchises and was called for trials by seven teams. He smashed 18 sixes at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) trial and impressed Dinesh Karthik at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp. After watching Kartik bat, Karthik told the teenager never to be satisfied, saying he was meant for greatness.
“Barring GT, Punjab and LSG, I’ve given trials for every other team,” he says.
“When I went for the RCB trial, I met Dinesh Karthik. He told me to work harder and never stop. He said I have everything in me to play for India. He told me that even if I get a big IPL contract, I should not be satisfied because the sky is the limit. I’m extremely grateful for his words,” says Kartik.
Lokendra Singh Chahar believes his ward will go a long way, as this is just the beginning.
“He never runs away from hard work. Yes, his father trained him and I coached him for 14 years, but it’s his hunger that has helped him reach this level,” says Chahar senior.
“At the age of eight, he used to face 500 balls a day. He was a natural power-hitter. When he turned 13, he played for our club’s senior team in tournaments where the prize money was ₹1–2 lakh.
“I remember him scoring 300 runs in a 50-over local match,” he recalls.
Chahar also admits that, like Deepak and Rahul, Kartik has faced his wrath.
“I’ve scolded him a lot — and yes, I’ve used my hands too. Shaitaan hai ek number ka (He’s extremely naughty),” Chahar laughs.
“In one match, he won the toss and opted to bat on a green top when our strategy was to bowl. When I confronted him, he said, ‘Sir, yeh log out ho jaayenge, phir mujhe batting nahi milegi’ (They’ll get out cheaply, and I won’t get to bat). There were times we lost matches because of his approach. He targeted 300 runs in every game,” says Chahar.
File photo of Karthik Sharma. (Instagram)
Kartik credits his six-hitting prowess to his father.
“My father used to hit big sixes. He was a cricketer himself but later quit. He worked on my power-hitting. From the age of five, when we moved to Agra, he used to throw me 200–300 balls after my training. His only instruction was: ‘Chakke maar bas’ (Only look to hit sixes),” says Kartik.
However, Chahar explains the secret behind Kartik’s power.
“His wrists and forearms are very strong. He generates excellent power. His bat swing is exceptional, and above all, his base is solid,” explains Chahar.
Chahar also recalls a conversation between himself, Deepak and Kartik that pushed the youngster towards becoming a wicketkeeper and finisher.
“Deepak warned him that keeping is a thankless job. If you drop a catch, people will abuse you; if you take a blinder, they’ll say it was the gloves. No one enjoys keeping — not even Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni). But if you can bat at No. 5 or 6 and keep wickets, your value increases. You’ll earn more in the IPL,” says Chahar.
Deepak’s words proved prophetic as Kartik created a paddle stir in Abu Dhabi.
“He’s like
Virender Sehwag,” says Lokendra Singh Chahar.
“Isko koi farq nahi padta kaunsa format hai (He doesn’t care which format he’s playing),” he adds.
Rajasthan head coach Anshu Jain calls him “chhota packet, bada dhamaka.”
“Two years ago, he was playing U-19 cricket when someone told me an exceptional talent was coming through. When he hits the ball, it stays hit. You’ll see him playing for India very soon,” says Jain.
Kartik’s father Manoj, busy receiving guests amid the beat of dhols, now wants his son to dream in Indian colours.
“The IPL is done. Now he should dream of playing for India — and then play all three formats for the country,” he says.
“I don’t have words. This is a life-changing moment for all of us,” he adds.
Kartik says his father has become emotional but vows to rise to the challenge laid before him.
“I want to play all three formats, but for now, I just want the opportunity. Whichever format it is, I just want to play,” he says.