Rajasthan Royals (RR) have long built a reputation for spotting raw, under-the-radar talent, and Yash Raj Punja is the latest addition to that tradition. The young leg-spinner was picked up for INR 30 lakhs at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. Born in Abu Dhabi, Yash brings a unique background and an exciting skill set despite not having represented the UAE at any level.
His cricketing journey has been heavily influenced by his brother, Yodhin Punja, who remains the youngest player to feature in men’s international cricket for the UAE and has mentored Yash from an early stage.
Yash’s path to professional cricket took a decisive turn in 2023 when he moved to Bengaluru after completing his school exams. There, he trained at an academy associated with Rahul Dravid. A chance encounter proved pivotal, while bowling in the nets during an RR camp, he caught the attention of one of their coaches, who was impressed enough to invite him to an extended four-day camp. That opportunity laid the foundation for his entry into the franchise setup.
Eventually relocating permanently to Bengaluru, Yash committed himself fully to cricket. While serving the mandatory qualification period to represent the state, he began playing first-division cricket in Karnataka and also contributed as a net bowler for RR. His breakthrough came in the 2025 Maharaja Trophy, where he represented Hubli Tigers and emerged as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an impressive average of 12.48 and an economy rate of 7.45. His performances were instrumental in taking the team to a runner-up finish.
On his IPL debut, Yash delivered a promising performance. Despite conceding 12 runs in the final over of the powerplay, he quickly recovered, giving away just seven, three, and three runs in his next three overs. He capped off his spell with a crucial wicket, dismissing Ramandeep Singh, finishing with figures of 1/25 in four overs, an encouraging start to his IPL journey.
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