Kartik Chadha is the wrist-spinner franchises should be scouting for in December because he offers wicket-taking control at a mini-auction price. The 22-year-old from Jalandhar finished second on the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 wicket list, dismissed Shubman Gill with a googly and spent two months bowling in the CSK nets at Chepauk. Most profiles stop at his switch from batting to legspin. The sharper case rests on his numbers, his stump-attacking method and the thin Indian wrist-spin depth several IPL sides still carry.
From Jalandhar Batter to Googly Bowler
Chadha, 22, grew up in Jalandhar wanting to bat like Shikhar Dhawan and Matthew Hayden. He represented Punjab at Under-16 level as a batter before drifting toward legspin as he moved through the age groups.
He only took bowling seriously around four years ago, working with former India legspinner Rahul Sharma, another Jalandhar cricketer. That short timeline makes his control more striking, not less. Sharma’s influence shows in the googly, now his most dangerous ball. He isn’t part of Punjab’s contracted domestic squad either. His rise has run entirely through franchise T20 cricket, which is exactly where scouts now look hardest.
Sher-e-Punjab Numbers Behind the Breakout
The inaugural, auction-driven Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 gave Chadha his stage with Ludhiana Lions. He finished second on the wicket charts with 14 wickets from 10 games at an economy of 6.46, and he’d been sitting at 5.65 before the knockouts dented his figures.
Seven of those 14 wickets were bowled or LBW. That’s the product of a deliberate plan to attack the stumps rather than wait for mistakes. His best return, 4 for 9 against Fazilka Falcons, included India Test captain Shubman Gill, caught behind off a googly while going for a big shot. Ludhiana reached the final but were bowled out for 142 and lost by eight wickets to Amritsar Soormas. Still, removing an India Test captain in a franchise league is the kind of scalp scouts remember.
Bowler | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Best Figures |
Sahil Bhaskar | Ludhiana Lions | 10 | 20 | 8.12 (approx.) | 6/16 |
Kartik Chadha | Ludhiana Lions | 10 | 14 | 6.46 | 4/9 |
Bhaskar topped the tournament with 20 wickets, but Chadha conceded well over a run and a half less per over. For a franchise buying middle-overs control, that gap matters more than the wicket tally.
Uncapped leg spinner IPL 2027 auction
December’s event is a mini-auction, set for Goa, with proceedings expected to run across a single day around December 15-16. Franchises will keep most of their 2026 squads and fill specific gaps rather than rebuild.
Purses come out of a league-wide salary cap of ₹157 crore for the 2027 cycle, under the existing 2025-27 regulations. Money will be tight for teams chasing marquee names. Mini-auctions reward depth buys, and unproven Indian players often deliver the best value because franchises are topping up rather than chasing headliners. That context suits Chadha perfectly. A team needing a cheap, attacking wrist-spin option to fill out its bench gets far more value from him than from an expensive established name.
CSK Net Bowling Stint at Chepauk
Chadha’s break came in IPL 2025, when Chennai Super Kings took him on as a net bowler. He spent two months at Chepauk bowling to some of the best batters in the world. That’s an education few domestic bowlers ever get.
In an intra-squad practice game, he took four wickets, including bowling MS Dhoni. He has since described that moment as a major confidence boost.
He also trialled with RCB, CSK and Mumbai ahead of IPL 2026 without landing a contract. The Sher-e-Punjab season put him straight back on the radar.
Franchises Short on Wrist Spin Depth
Not every side enters this cycle settled on Indian wrist spin. Gujarat Titans built their 2026 attack around overseas star Rashid Khan without a specialist Indian leg-spinner, while Mumbai Indians rotated between Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar and part-time options. Sunrisers Hyderabad released Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar heading into 2026. That left a domestic spin gap some of these teams may still be carrying.
A googly-armed bowler who has shared a dressing room with Dhoni and dismissed Gill costs little and fills that gap neatly. Of every uncapped leg spinner IPL 2027 auction rooms will discuss in Goa, Chadha offers the best mix of price, control and proven wicket-taking.
Which franchise needs Chadha’s googly most in Goa? Name your team in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Kartik Chadha?
Kartik Chadha is a 22-year-old legspinner from Jalandhar who broke out with Ludhiana Lions in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026. He took 14 wickets at an economy of 6.46, including India Test captain Shubman Gill.
When is the next IPL mini-auction?
The next IPL mini-auction will be held in Goa in December 2026. Proceedings are expected to run across a single day around December 15-16, with franchises working within a ₹157 crore salary cap.
Who took the most wickets in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026?
Sahil Bhaskar of Ludhiana Lions topped the wicket charts with 20. His teammate Kartik Chadha finished second with 14 wickets from 10 games at an economy of 6.46.
Did Kartik Chadha play for CSK?
No, Chadha has never held an IPL contract, but he spent two months as a Chennai Super Kings net bowler in IPL 2025. In an intra-squad practice game at Chepauk, he took four wickets, including bowling MS Dhoni.
Who won the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026?
Amritsar Soormas won the inaugural title, beating Ludhiana Lions by eight wickets in the final. The match was played at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on September 13, 2026, after Ludhiana were bowled out for 142.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.