19 Yash Raj Punja

Yash Raj Punja: The Towering Leg-Spinner

Breakthrough: The Maharaja Trophy Dominance

Yash Punja first made waves in the Indian circuit during the 2025 Maharaja KSCA T20 Trophy. Representing the Hubli Tigers, he finished as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 23 wickets in just 10 matches. What impressed scouts most was his remarkable consistency; he took three wickets on five separate occasions, maintaining an average of 12.48.

Bowling Style: The “Afghan-Style” Googly

Punja’s greatest weapon is his height. Releasing the ball from nearly 7 feet in the air, he generates natural, steep bounce that most leg-spinners cannot replicate. His style is often compared to the modern “Afghan” school of spin—bowling with a flattish, quick trajectory rather than a slow, looping arc. His deceptive googly, which comes out of the side of the hand rather than the back, accounted for more than half of his wickets in the 2025 domestic season.

IPL 2026: The “Impact” Prospect

Under the tutelage of Rahul Dravid and Ravindra Jadeja, Punja is expected to be a tactical “Impact Player” for RR in 2026. His ability to bowl in the powerplay due to his control and pace makes him a rare commodity among leg-spinners. Having trained in the RR nets since 2024, he is already well-integrated into the team’s culture and data-driven tactical setups.

Yash Raj Punja: Career Statistics

Data consolidated as of January 20, 2026.

Bowling Performance

Batting & Fielding