Sarthak Ranjan

Sarthak Ranjan is a right-handed batter for Delhi in domestic cricket and plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Born in Delhi, he is the son of former Member of Parliament Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav.

His strong performances in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) have revived his career and placed him back on the radar of professional teams.

Sarthak Ranjan’s Early Life and Background

Sarthak Ranjan was born on 25 September 1996 in Delhi into a prominent political family. 

He began playing the sport at around 6 years old, practising on local grounds and at academies across Delhi. His early exposure to competitive cricket eventually led him into the Delhi age-group cricket system.

The public attention surrounding his family background often brought additional pressure, and Ranjan later admitted that the constant scrutiny affected his confidence and mental health.

Sarthak Ranjan’s Domestic Career

Sarthak Ranjan made his T20 debut on 2 January 2016 for Delhi against Railways in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Early in his career, opportunities were limited because Delhi had a deep batting lineup, limiting his appearances in the tournament.

During the 2025 Delhi Premier League, Sarthak Ranjan enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for the North Delhi Strikers, emerging as one of the most consistent batters in the tournament. He amassed 449 runs in nine innings, finishing with an impressive average of 56.12 and a strike rate of 146.73. 

His standout performance came in a commanding knock of 100 off 58 balls against the New Delhi Tigers, an innings that underlined his ability to dominate T20 bowling attacks and ultimately helped him finish as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.

Sarthak Ranjan’s IPL Career

Sarthak Ranjan’s performances in the Delhi Premier League 2025 ultimately paved the way for his entry into the Indian Premier League.

During the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, the Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for INR 30 lakh.

The signing generated considerable media attention due to his political background, with his father, Pappu Yadav, publicly congratulating him after the auction. 

(As of March 2026)