Who Is Sarthak Ranjan? Pappu Yadav’s Son, 29, Who Battled Identity, Mental Struggles And Years In Domestic Cricket To Earn Historic IPL 2026 Kolkata Knight Riders Call-Up

Known widely as Pappu Yadav’s son, Sarthak Ranjan spent years fighting labels. His IPL 2026 selection marks a shift from political identity to cricketing credibility.(Photo Credit - X)

At 29, Sarthak’s IPL debut challenges age stereotypes. His journey proves Indian domestic cricket rewards persistence, not just prodigies.(Photo Credit - X)

The Delhi Premier League became his turning point. Strong performances across two seasons helped IPL scouts finally notice his power hitting and improved consistency.(Photo Credit - X)

Scoring 449 runs in nine DPL matches with a century and four fifties, Sarthak Ranjan turned local dominance into a national talking point.(Photo Credit - X)

Self-doubt and pressure nearly ended his career. Seeking help and rebuilding mentally became as important as fixing technique, shaping a stronger cricketer.(Photo Credit - X)

Inspired by Virat Kohli’s intensity and Hardik Pandya’s fearlessness, Sarthak refined strike rotation, shot selection, and situational awareness.(Photo Credit - X)

Despite heavy age-group runs, his senior domestic numbers stayed modest. The gap taught him resilience and patience in India’s crowded cricket ecosystem.(Photo Credit - X)

Picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 30 lakh, Sarthak fits KKR’s pattern of backing late bloomers with strong league form and hunger.(Photo Credit - X)

Pappu Yadav’s viral X post captured the emotion. The surname opened doors but also invited constant judgment, a burden Sarthak learned to accept.(Photo Credit - X)

Even a few IPL games could redefine his career. Training under KKR’s coaching group offers Sarthak a chance to finally be known for cricket alone.(Photo Credit - X)