A self-proclaimed fan of SRK and Kolkata Knight Riders, Sarthak Ranjan saw his long-cherished wish come true when KKR picked him during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. KKR entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with the biggest purse of Rs 64.30 crore. The three-time champions spent heavily to strengthen their squad, mainly due to the signing of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for Rs 25.20 crore. Among the big-money deals, Ranjan was bought for Rs 30 lakh.
Ranjan got his chance after an impressive Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 season, where he scored 449 runs in nine matches, which included four fifties and a century. He was the second highest run scorer in the tournament.
It was during the DPL that Ranjan spoke openly about his admiration for Shahrukh Khan and KKR. In a video going viral on social media, he said that if he wants to play in IPL, his dream would be to play for KKR.
“Any team. If any team picks me, I would be very grateful to play. I will give my 100 per cent for each side. If have to pick a side, I am a big fan of SRK and KKR,” Ranjan said.
The 29-year-old player, being associated with Delhi, also considers current India head coach Gautam Gambhir as his idol.
“From Delhi, it has always been Gautam Gambhir. Watching him and talking to him and sharing my thoughts with him is like talking to a school of cricket. There is no doubt that he is coaching the Indian team. I have got to learn a lot from him,” he said.
Meanwhile, he has played five T20s, four List-A games and two first-class matches so far with limited returns. However, reports suggest that he was a prolific run-scorer in age-group cricket, and KKR's think tank has backed his potential rather than past statistics as part of a wider rebuilding plan.
It is noteworthy that Ranjan is the son of former MP and Congress leader Pappu Yadav. Immediately after the auction, Yadav visited Ax to congratulate his son and urged him to play openly, believe in his ability and show his identity to cricket.
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