Who is Sarthak Ranjan? Biography, Career, IPL 2026 & KKR Profile

If you follow Indian domestic cricket or closely track IPL auctions, one name that quietly sparked curiosity during the IPL 2026 Mini Auction was Sarthak Ranjan. Known to many as the son of Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav, Sarthak has carved his own space in cricket through consistent performances, particularly at the domestic and local league level. His selection by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) marks a significant chapter in his professional journey.

This featured article takes a closer look at who is Sarthak Ranjan, his background, cricketing career, and why his IPL 2026 selection matters.

Who is Sarthak Ranjan and Why Is He Famous?

Sarthak Ranjan is an Indian cricketer who plays as a top-order batter for Delhi in domestic cricket. He rose to wider public attention after being picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2026 Mini Auction, held on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

बधाई बेटू
जमकर खेलो

अपने प्रतिभा के दम पर
अपनी पहचान बनाओ
अपनी चाहत पूरी करो!

अब सार्थक के नाम से
बनेगी हमारी पहचान! pic.twitter.com/s3gOGe72c2

— Pappu Yadav (@pappuyadavjapl) December 16, 2025

KKR signed Sarthak Ranjan at his base price of Rs 30 lakh, making it his first-ever appearance in the Indian Premier League. Apart from his cricketing achievements, he is also known for being the son of Pappu Yadav, the current Member of Parliament from Purnia, Bihar.

Sarthak Ranjan Biography and Background

Born into a politically influential family, Sarthak Ranjan has largely stayed focused on cricket. His father, Pappu Yadav, is a sitting Lok Sabha MP, while his mother, Ranjeet Ranjan, is a Rajya Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh on a Congress ticket.

Despite this strong political background, Sarthak’s rise in cricket has been driven by performances rather than influence. He briefly entered the political spotlight in March last year when he joined the Congress party alongside his father, but cricket has remained his primary focus.

This balance between public attention and professional discipline forms a key part of Sarthak Ranjan’s background.

Sarthak Ranjan Early Life and Domestic Beginnings

Sarthak Ranjan’s cricketing journey began in Delhi’s competitive domestic circuit. He made his T20 debut in January 2016 against Baroda when Gautam Gambhir was captaining Delhi.

His List-A debut came in February 2017 against Himachal Pradesh under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant, with Gambhir also part of the squad. Later, in November 2018, he made his First-Class debut against Hyderabad, with Nitish Rana leading the Delhi team.

पप्पू यादव के बेटे सार्थक रंजन ने पिछले साल क्रिकेट छोड़ कर कांग्रेस पार्टी ज्वाइन कर ली थी।

लोकसभा चुनाव के बाद सार्थक रंजन ने फिर क्रिकेट कैरियर पर ध्यान दिया और आज IPL auction में KKR ने उनको खरीदा। pic.twitter.com/nX2v85s4vi

— Lutyens Media (@LutyensMediaIN) December 16, 2025

These early opportunities helped shape Sarthak Ranjan’s early life in cricket, even though consistent chances at the top level took time.

Sarthak Ranjan Career and Professional Journey

In terms of official domestic records, Sarthak Ranjan’s career includes appearances across all three formats for Delhi-

• First-Class: 2 matches, 28 runs, average 9.33
• List-A: 4 matches, 105 runs, average 26.25
• T20: 5 matches, 66 runs, average 13.20

While these numbers may appear modest, his recent performances in local leagues significantly strengthened his case for an IPL call-up.

Breakthrough in Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025

The turning point in Sarthak Ranjan’s professional journey came during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025, where he played for North Delhi Strikers.

In an impressive campaign:

• Matches played: 11 (10 innings)
• Runs scored: 495
• Average: 55
• Half-centuries: 4
• Highest score: 82
• Boundaries: 56 fours, 18 sixes

He finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, just behind Arpit Rana. These performances caught the attention of IPL scouts and ultimately paved the way for his selection in IPL 2026.

IPL 2026: KKR’s Quiet but Notable Pick

The IPL 2026 Mini Auction was dominated by big-ticket signings, with Cameron Green emerging as the most expensive buy at Rs 25.20 crore and Matheesha Pathirana joining KKR for Rs 18 crore. Uncapped players like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma also secured massive deals with CSK.

Amid these headlines, KKR quietly added Sarthak Ranjan to their squad for Rs 30 lakh. At 29 years old, this opportunity represents a crucial milestone and could be a defining moment in his cricketing journey.

Sarthak Ranjan Profile and Personal Details

• Name: Sarthak Ranjan
• Profession: Cricketer
• Role: Top-order batter
• Domestic Team: Delhi
• IPL Team (2026): Kolkata Knight Riders
• Father: Pappu Yadav (Lok Sabha MP, Purnia)
• Mother: Ranjeet Ranjan (Rajya Sabha MP, Chhattisgarh)

These Sarthak Ranjan personal details highlight a unique blend of sports and public life.

Facts About Sarthak Ranjan

• Made his T20 debut in 2016
• Represented Delhi across all formats
• Second-highest run-scorer in DPL 2025
• Bought by KKR at base price (30 Lakhs) in IPL 2026
• First IPL contract at the age of 29

FAQs About Sarthak Ranjan

1. Who is Sarthak Ranjan and why is he famous?
   Sarthak Ranjan is a Delhi-based domestic cricketer who gained attention after being picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2026 Mini Auction and for being Pappu Yadav’s son.
2. What is Sarthak Ranjan’s professional journey in cricket?
   Sarthak Ranjan has represented Delhi in First-Class, List-A, and T20 formats and earned his IPL selection after strong performances in the Delhi Premier League 2025.
3. What are Sarthak Ranjan’s achievements in domestic cricket?
   His standout achievement came in DPL 2025, where he scored 495 runs at an average of 55, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer.
4. What are Sarthak Ranjan’s personal details?
   Sarthak Ranjan is the son of MP Pappu Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan. He plays as a top-order batter for Delhi in domestic cricket.
5. Which IPL team bought Sarthak Ranjan and for how much?
   Kolkata Knight Riders bought Sarthak Ranjan for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 Mini Auction.
6. What is Sarthak Ranjan’s background in politics and cricket?
   Despite coming from a prominent political family, Sarthak Ranjan has focused on cricket and earned his IPL opportunity through on-field performances.

So, who is Sarthak Ranjan beyond the headlines? He is a late-blooming domestic batter who earned his IPL opportunity through strong local league performances rather than hype. While competition for a spot in KKR’s playing XI will be intense, simply being part of an IPL setup can be a major turning point.

Whether or not he gets immediate game time, Sarthak Ranjan’s life story is a reminder that persistence and performance can still open doors at the highest level of Indian cricket.

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