Pappu Yadav Son Picked in Shah Rukh Khan Team in IPL Auction 2026

The Indian Premier League auction for the 19th edition of 2026 has delivered several key moments as franchises have gathered to build their formidable squads in Abu Dhabi for the upcoming season. Conducted by auctioneer Mallika Sagar, the auction opened with the capped batter category, setting the pace for a competitive day where teams focused on filling the limited spots with the best players in their respective team IPL 2026 squads. While the auction is often known for record-breaking moments, it also provides a platform for new players to step up into the IPL spotlight.

One such moment came with the selection of Sarthak Ranjan, son of Bihar MP Pappu Yadav, who was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders, the franchise co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan. Sarthak Ranjan IPL debut will be an incredible moment for the MP, and he has welcomed his son’s success by writing a sweet message for him on his social media profile. His selection quickly became a talking point and made fans curious about Pappu Yadav Son, who is Sarthak Ranjan, and they started digging into his domestic cricket, politics, and other details. With this move, Sarthak Ranjan is set to represent KKR in the IPL 2026, as he prepares to take the next step in his professional cricket journey.

Sarthak Ranjan IPL 2026: KKR Hand Debut to Pappu Yadav Son

During the auction, Sarthak Ranjan IPL entry came when his name appeared in the uncapped players list with a base price of 30 lakh. The bidding started with a base price, but no aggressive bidding followed as other franchises chose to pass. Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, raised the paddle and secured his services and confirmed Sarthak Ranjan IPL Team for the 2026 edition, officially confirming Sarthak Ranjan KKR as part of their IPL 2026 Squad.
The bidding process was straightforward, with KKR acting decisively once it became clear there would be no bidding war. For Pappu Yadav Son, this incident marked a first step into the IPL after years in the domestic circuit. The signing also grabbed eyeballs due to his father’s political connection, but the franchise decision was totally based on the future scope of the squad and the potential cricket career.
This move means Sarthak Ranjan IPL debut will be in the purple colors, offering him a chance to train alongside senior international and Indian players. With KKR known for backing up young talents and then nurturing them as per international standards, Sarthak Ranjan KKR debut is secured, where he can also become one of the best batsman in IPL in the future.

Sarthak Ranjan DPL & Other Stats

Sarthak Ranjan is a right-handed top-order batter who represents Delhi in the domestic circuit, the Delhi Premier League. The 29-year-old finished the tournament as the second-highest run-getter. Sarthak scored 449 runs in 9 innings, hitting 21 sixes. He averaged 56.12 with a strike rate of 146.73. So far, he has played 2 First-Class matches, scoring 28 runs at an average of 9.33. Despite being known with his father, Pappu Yadav son, he has consistently distanced himself from politics and focused on his cricket career.