Yash Raj Punja impressed in the big-boy league after the 19-year-old Rajasthan Royals spinner dismissed the likes of Cooper Connolly and Prabhsimran Singh during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Punjab Kings in New Mullanpur on Tuesday.
The 6’5” Yash was playing only his second professional match after making his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) where he took the wicket of Ramandeep Singh in the losing encounter. Against Punjab Kings, Yash was brought into the attack by captain Riyan Parag at a time when Connolly and Prabhsimran were going crazy.
Although the Karnataka youngster took 15 runs in his first over, Yash repaid the faith shown by Parag when he got the better of a googly from the Australian left-hander, making it 59 runs. That’s not all. The youngster then smartly improved from Prabhsimran. Although he conceded 41 runs, Yash provided the most important breakthroughs.
Everything you need to know about Yash Raj Punja
Had it not been for former Karnataka cricketer K Jeshwant, the IPL would not have discovered Yash. The story goes back to 2023, when Jeshwant first saw Yash in Abu Dhabi during a two-week coaching camp. Born to working parents in the Middle East, Yash played recreational cricket three years ago and would likely follow his brother Yodhin Punja, who captained the UAE U-19s and played a single ODI for the senior men’s team.
But it was Jeshwant who convinced Yash’s parents (they were not convinced at first) to let their child try his luck in India. Former England captain Alastair Cook’s ‘X-factor’ comment also played a role in Yash’s family finally giving their nod to Jeshwant. As luck would have it, Yash joined the Six Academy under Jeshwant in Bengaluru around the time Rajasthan Royals came for training camps at the same academy.
On Jeshwanth’s advice, Yash impressed Rajasthan Royals scouts in these training camps and eventually broke into the franchise as a bowler for two years. In last year’s IPL 2026 auction, the 2008 champions bought Yash at his base price ₹30 million.
However, breaking into the Karnataka setup was a problem for Yash due to his residence. But when the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) reduced the three-year playing time in the local leagues to two in 2025, Yash was selected for the Karnataka U-23 camp and also got a contract with the Hubli Tigers in the 2025 Maharaja KSCA T20 Trophy.
Yash finished as the second highest wicket-taker in his debut season, picking 23 wickets.
Why is Yash Raj Punja rated so highly?
Yash is highly rated by former West Indies cricketer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop for his extreme height and flat track with high control. In fact, the googly is one of Yash’s most effective weapons, along with the ability to extract a steep and unexpected rebound.
“Met this 18-year-old Rajasthan Royals bowler yesterday when we traveled to Chennai. I’m 6ft 61/2″. And he has me covered so he’s at least 6ft 6. His name is Yash and he’s from Bengaluru,” Bishop wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in 2024.
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