Sarthak Ranjan

Sarthak Ranjan’s early rise in domestic cricket came under scrutiny when Delhi’s selection committee picked him for a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign despite him not having played any competitive cricket that season. The decision raised eyebrows, particularly as established names like Unmukt Chand and Hiten Dalal were overlooked, leading to questions about the selection process.

After making his T20 debut for Delhi in November 2018, Sarthak had to wait for his opportunity in the longer format. He eventually made his first-class debut against Hyderabad, opening the innings alongside Hiten Dalal. However, his outing was underwhelming, as he managed just 20 runs and struggled to make an impact against the new ball. Despite his modest contribution, Delhi put up a competitive total thanks to efforts from other players and the match ultimately ended in a draw.

Now part of the Kolkata Knight Riders setup, Sarthak finds himself in a highly competitive squad. With several established and in-form players ahead of him, he is unlikely to feature regularly in the playing XI or even as an Impact Player and may have to wait for his chances while continuing to develop on the sidelines.