For most of his life, Sarthak Ranjan carried a label he never chose. As the son of senior politician Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, his name often came with assumptions — privilege, shortcuts and doubt — long before his cricket spoke for itself. This week, however, a ₹30 lakh IPL deal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) finally shifted that narrative.
Picked up at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, the Delhi batter’s selection marks more than a professional milestone. It represents survival, persistence and a personal breakthrough after years of mental and emotional struggle.
Growing up in a shadow
Despite strong performances in Delhi’s age-group cricket, Sarthak found it hard to be judged purely on merit. His parents’ political stature often overshadowed his achievements, leading to constant scrutiny and quiet prejudice. He played limited senior cricket for Delhi — just a handful of first-class, List A and T20 matches — despite being a consistent run-scorer at junior levels.
While his lifestyle, social media presence and confidence drew attention, Sarthak says the weight of expectations slowly took a toll on his mental health.
“There was a phase when it became too much,” he admits. “People didn’t see me as a cricketer, only as someone’s son. That affected me deeply.”
A point where he almost quit
The pressure eventually pushed him into a dark phase, where he seriously considered walking away from the sport he had loved since childhood. Cricket, once his escape, began to feel like a burden. Seeking help became unavoidable.
What kept him going, he says, was a stubborn desire to build an identity of his own — to be known for runs, not relations.
Delhi Premier League: the turning point
Sarthak’s revival began with the Delhi Premier League (DPL), where he played for North Delhi Strikers. His first season showed promise but lacked consistency. Instead of giving in to frustration, he chose to rebuild.
Ahead of the second season, he worked on his batting technique, fitness and mindset, taking inputs from fellow cricketers like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya. The results were undeniable — 449 runs in nine matches, including a century and four half-centuries.
Those performances caught the attention of IPL scouts and reopened doors that once felt firmly shut.
Learning from the best
Inspired by players like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, Sarthak focused on strike rotation, shot selection and game awareness — areas he believes matter as much as raw talent.
He is especially excited to work with Abhishek Nayar at KKR, calling the former India all-rounder a coach he has long admired for his sharp understanding of the game.
Family support, without interference
While politics defined his upbringing, Sarthak says cricket remained his own space. His parents, both seasoned politicians, never interfered in his sporting decisions — just as he stayed away from their world.
When the IPL bid came through, his father posted a simple message online: “Now people will know us by Sarthak’s name.”
A new beginning at 29
At an age when many careers plateau, Sarthak sees this IPL contract as a fresh start — not an arrival point. He is clear-eyed about what lies ahead: harder competition, fewer chances and no room for complacency.
But this time, he walks in with something he once lacked — mental strength.
“This is just the first step,” he says. “I finally feel like I’m being seen for who I am.”
After years of being defined by a surname, Sarthak Ranjan has begun writing his own story — one innings at a time.
