Sarthak Ranjan is a rising cricket talent who is finally making a name for himself, distinct from his famous family background. He is the son of Rajesh Ranjan, better known as Pappu Yadav, a prominent politician and Member of Parliament from Bihar. For years, Sarthak was largely known only as "Pappu Yadav’s son," but he is now carving his own path in the sporting world.

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A right-handed opening batsman, Sarthak is known for his solid technique and ability to build big innings. He represents Delhi in the domestic circuit and initially showed promise in age-group cricket. While he has played a handful of first-class, List A, and T20 matches for the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), his real breakthrough came in the Delhi Premier League (DPL). After a decent start in the first season, he exploded in the second edition, scoring 449 runs in just nine matches for the North Delhi Strikers, including a century and four fifties.

This impressive form caught the eye of scouts at the recently concluded IPL 2026 Mini Auction. The three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, saw his potential and bought him for INR 30 Lakh. This opportunity with KKR marks a massive step forward, giving Sarthak the chance to showcase his skills on cricket's biggest stage alongside international stars.

The moment was incredibly emotional for his father, who has always wanted Sarthak to succeed on his own merit. Following the auction news, Pappu Yadav took to social media to express his pride. He posted a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating that the family would now be defined by Sarthak's achievements rather than his own politics.

He wrote, "Now, our identity will be known by the name of Sarthak!" Encouraging his son to chase his dreams, he added, "Congratulations, dear! Play with full passion. On the strength of your talent, build your own identity, fulfil your dreams!"