Yash Raj Punja: Another young player has left his mark in IPL 2026. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, 19-year-old leg spinner Yash Raj Punja has caught everyone’s attention with his brilliant performance in his debut match against Kolkata Knight Riders. In this episode, let us know in detail about Yash Raj Punja…

Who is Yash Raj Punja?

Young leg spinner Yash Raj Punja, who debuted for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, was born on 26 June 2006 in Abu Dhabi. Let us tell you, Yash’s brother Yodhin Punja was the captain of UAE Under-19 team, but due to injury he had to leave cricket. For this reason, Yash’s parents did not want him to become a professional cricketer.

But Yash’s parents did not agree to his stubbornness. Yash’s cricket success has been quite unique. He started taking cricket training in Abu Dhabi itself. Initially Punja was a seam bowler, but after the advice of elder brother Yodhin Punja, he started bowling leg-spin.

Dominated in IPL debut

19-year-old young leg spinner Yash Raj Punja made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday 19 April. Performed brilliantly in his debut match against KKR and caught everyone’s attention. In this match, Yash took 1 wicket for just 25 runs in 4 overs, but this wicket belonged to Ramandeep Singh, due to which he came into limelight. Even though Punja has taken only one wicket in his debut match, he is being seen as a long race horse.

Took training in Dravid’s academy

Let us tell you, 19-year-old leg spinner Yash Raj Punja left UAE in the year 2023 and came to India and settled here. He started taking training at Rahul Dravid’s academy in Bengaluru. His hard work of two years bore fruit in 2025. In the same year, in the Maharaja T20 Trophy, Punja took 23 wickets in 10 matches.