Who is Kartik Sharma? Rs 14.2 crore CSK signing fails to fire on IPL debut Chennai Super Kings faced a mixed performance from their four new signings in their opening match of IPL 2026 against Rajasthan Royals on Monday. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad confirmed at the toss that Sanju Samson, Kartik Sharma, Matt Henry, and Matt Short would debut for the team. However, the newcomers struggled to make an impact, with Samson and Short falling early in their IPL careers. Samson was dismissed for six runs off seven balls after attempting a leg-side flick against Nandre Burger, who bowled him at 140.2 kmph. Short was caught at midwicket by Yashasvi Jaiswal off Sandeep Sharma’s delivery. Kartik Sharma, who had been signed for a record Rs 14.2 crore, also failed to make an impression, falling lbw to Brijesh Sharma for 18 runs off 15 balls. Kartik Sharma’s journey into the IPL began in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, where his father, Manoj Kumar, pushed him toward cricket despite his own unfulfilled dreams of becoming a cricketer. Lokendra Singh Chahar, who trained Kartik’s uncle Rahul Chahar and nephew Deepak Chahar, recalled Kartik’s early passion for the sport. As a child, Kartik would hold a plastic bat and declare, “Sir, chakke maarne waala cricketer banna hai” (I want to be known as a six-hitter). This determination led him to become a wicketkeeper-batter known for his explosive hitting. Kartik’s IPL debut came after a standout performance in domestic cricket. He was the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player in the 2025 IPL auction, signed by CSK for Rs 14.2 crore. His credentials were bolstered by his achievements in the 2025-26 Ranji season, where he was the joint-highest six-hitter in the first phase and the top six-hitter in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy.#rajasthan_royals #chennai_super_kings #manoj_kumar #riyan_parag #kartik_sharma
LPG shortage forces eateries to shut down, disrupts wedding catering in Bengaluru Hotels and restaurants across Bengaluru are grappling with a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, leading to widespread closures and reduced operations. The crisis has left many establishments unable to sustain daily activities, with some forced to halt services entirely due to uncertainty over fuel supply. The shortage has also disrupted the city’s wedding catering industry, where caterers are halting new bookings and scaling back elaborate menus. With commercial LPG supplies remaining inconsistent, businesses are struggling to maintain normal operations. Restaurant owners initially tried to manage by limiting menu options, but the situation has worsened, leaving some unable to cook. Ravindra Shetty, a restaurant owner in south Bengaluru, described the situation as dire, stating that his establishment had to shut down after running out of fuel. “We managed to keep the kitchen open until Wednesday, but today we had no LPG left. We don’t know when supplies will stabilize, so we’re closing until the crisis passes,” he said. Similar measures are being adopted by other eateries, with some operating on minimal menus or temporarily closing kitchens to avoid financial losses. A hotel owner from Koramangala highlighted the strain on small businesses, noting that restaurants operate on tight margins and cannot function without reliable fuel. “Without a steady supply, some of us have chosen to pause operations rather than disappoint customers,” said Ravi K. The crisis is also affecting wedding catering, which typically requires large-scale food preparation. Caterers have stopped accepting new bookings for the coming weeks and even next month, as they cannot guarantee the necessary fuel for elaborate menus.#bengaluru #ravindra_shetty #koramangala #ravi_k #manoj_kumar
