Yash Raj Punja made his debut for Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders early Tuesday. He was bought for his base price of Rs. 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction.
Punja, only 19 years old, hails from Mangalore, Karnataka. He had an impressive run leading up to his debut, being the second highest wicket-taker in the 2025 Maharaja Cup with 23 wickets from just 10 matches.
On debut, he registered bowling figures of 1/25 across four overs. Notably, he took the crucial wicket of Ramandeep Singh.
Punja spent two years as a net bowler for the Royals before being secured at the IPL Auction. His journey began in the UAE, where he trained as a fast bowler at the Zayed Cricket Academy.
In 2023, he moved to Bengaluru to refine his skills at Rahul Dravid’s academy. Following advice from his elder brother Yodhin, he switched to leg-spin.
His height—standing at six feet—adds to his bowling presence on the field. His talent was first recognized by commentator Ian Bishop.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding how Punja will be utilized in upcoming matches. Observers are keen to see how he develops in this high-stakes environment.
