At the start of the 1998-99 season, Kartik took 23 wickets for Vijay Cricket Club in the Chennai League [REF].
He was rewarded with selection for Central Zone and after taking 4/133 against North Zone, claimed 5/73 and 2/22 in the final to help them defeat West Zone by 112 runs in Aurangabad to claim the Duleep Trophy,[REF] and was the leading wicket-taker during the tournament [REF].