Yash Punja : Bio , Age, Height, IPL Team, Stats, Family & Career

Yash Raj Punja is one of the emerging young talents of India who has made a name for himself with his leg-spin bowling style. He was born in Abu Dhabi and hails from the Indian state of Karnataka and is playing for the Indian Premier League team, Rajasthan Royals. He’s 6’5″, hunts for bounce and spin around his height, making him a tough bowler to play. He has inspired a lot of young cricketers in the UAE who have come to Indian cricket. Yash Punja has carved a niche for himself in the tournament circuit, including the IPL, with his impressive performances as a spin bowler and has a promising future ahead. This article will provide complete information about Yash Punja.

Who is Yash Punja?

Yash Punja is an Indian cricketer belonging to Karnataka and Rajasthan Royals who bowls right arm leg break ball. Yash Punja was born in 26 June 2006 in Abu Dhabi, UAE and joined Bengaluru to play cricket. He was originally interested in fast bowling but coaches saw his potential in leg-spin. He had excellent tournament form in the domestic circuit and got an IPL contract with the Rajasthan Royals. Punja is known for his bounce, height and googlies, and has emerged as one of the most exciting young bowlers for Indian cricket, who is seen as a bright prospect at the higher levels of the game.

• Date of Birth: June 26, 2006
• Birthplace: Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Weight: About 170 lbs (77 kg)
• Bowling Action: Right arm, leg break.
• Position: 3/4 (right-handed batsman)
• Domestic Team: Karnataka
• Bowler: Shreyas Govind (RRC)

Yash Raj Punja Background & Early Life

Yash Raj Punja was born on 26th June 2006 to Indian parents in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. His family originally belongs to Mulki near Mangalore in Karnataka and belongs to the Bunt community.

He was born and brought up in the UAE but his family ties were strong with Karnataka. After this, he shifted to Bengaluru to fulfil his residency condition and professional cricketing career in India.

His family was very football oriented. His elder brother, Yodhin Punja, played for the UAE at a very young age and joined the list of youngest international cricketers from UAE. Yash’s first step in the cricket arena was as a fast bowler under the guidance of his brother.

Coaches noted that his style of playing and wrist position were more suitable for spin bowling although he was a tall, stocky batsman. As he trained at different academies, he was encouraged to try leg-spin and it changed his career.

After finishing his 12th from Cambridge School Abu Dhabi, He faced tough choice between moving to UK to Study Medicine and pursuing professional Cricket Career with no guarantee. But his love for the game of cricket made him opt out of the Uk Study opportunity and relocate to Bengaluru where he started playing professionally.

Yash Punja Age

Yash Punja Age is 20 years as of 2026. Born in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 26 June 2006 to an Indian parents from Karnataka . He relocated to play professional cricket in Bengaluru. His IPL debut came for Rajasthan Royals on 19 April 2026 when he was still just 19 years old and seen as the franchise’s promising young leg-spinner.

Yash Punja Height

Yash Punja height is around 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) makes him one of the tallest young leg-spinners in Indian cricket. The extra bounce, sharp turn and awkward angles is all made possible by his height which makes him a difficult bowler to face for the batters irrespective of where you are playing.

Yash Punja Cricket Career

Yash Raj Punja is a 20-year-old, 6’5″ leg-spinner from Karnataka, playing for Indian Premier League (IPL) side Rajasthan Royals (RR). He decided to forgo UK studies to become a professional cricketer. He is well known for his high release and his extra bounce and googly, and has risen to become one of India’s brightest young spinners. The way he bowls and his stellar domestic performances have comparable similarities with Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

Breakthrough and Domestic Career

From the beginning, Yash led with his fast bowling style in cricket but after some suggestions from his family and coaches, he chose to play leg-spin.

• Discovery: He was spotted by the Discovery scouts of Rajasthan Royals at a summer camp for learning at Bengaluru’s academy of Rahul Dravid.
• MHT 2025: In his 11 appearances for Hubli Tigers, he posted 23 wickets, making him the second wicket-taker in the tournament.
• Current Domestic Team: He is playing for Shivamogga Lions in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament.
• His exploits in age group and State level cricket helped him build a strong reputation as one of the bright young talents in Karnataka.

IPL Career (Rajasthan Royals)

Yash Raj Punja was sold at the IPL 2026 auction for a price of ₹30 lakh by Rajasthan Royals after making a great performance in the domestic circuit in 2025. He had been a player under the radar for a number of years through the franchise’s scouting and development process. He made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders on 19th April 2026. Cricket fans and experts were immediately drawn to his height, bounce and his skill of bowling difficult variations.

Yash Punja IPL Career & Debut

Yash Raj Punja was added by the Rajasthan Royals to their squad in IPL 2026 after observing him for a few years over the IPL.

He impressed his teammates in the domestic game and his special, unconventional style of bowling convinced the team that he can perform at the international level.

Viral Debut against KKR

The attention of the country was drawn towards Yash Punja when he made his debut in the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders. The primary driving factor of his popularity was a strange tie up with the commentator Ian Bishop. However, before his first IPL match, Bishop had crossed paths with a tall young cricketer, and wondered if he would reach the elite stage of cricket someday. In the first time of the Punja, Bishop happened to be on commentary when he took his maiden IPL wicket. It was a moment that gained immense popularity among the cricket enthusiasts and social media followers.

After taking his first wicket and getting a good start to his career, soon he was one of the most talked about youth players of the season.

Why He Continued Trending in IPL 2026

• His bowling action and release point were very unique, which threw the experienced batters.
• He was a tall leg-spinner.
• The comparisons with Anil Kumble caught the attention of the people.
• Many fans were inspired by his choice to leave the medical studies and take up cricket.
• His trip from UAE to Indian cricket garnered international recognition.

Yash Punja Stats, Career & Records

The following tables summarize Yash Raj Punja’s performances in major competitions.

Indian Premier League (IPL 2026 Career)

Maharaja T20 Trophy

The displays put him in the list of one of the most promising spin bowlers in Karnataka cricket.

Yash Punja Playing Style & Strengths

Yash Punja is sometimes termed a modern day mystery spinner as he has the rare blend of height and leg-spin.

• He possesses the following qualities:
• High release point.
• Sharp googly.
• Extra bounce.
• Consistent overspin.
• Ability to bowl quickly through the air.
• Control in middle overs.

Punja is a different type of leg-spinner who, as opposed to the conventional leg-spinner, doesn’t make much use of flight and more often strikes batters with pace and bounce. His bowling action makes it difficult on flat pitches. His tall stature helps him take a good bounce off bats, especially when they’re playing aggressively.

Yash Punja Family

Yash Punja was born into an economically strong and supportive Indian family based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. And, his father is Dheeraj Punja and mother are Shilpa Punja but their professional background has not been disclosed in public eye. Even though they initially wanted him to pursue studies, they encouraged Yash’s cricketing ambitions. Older brother Yodhin Punja played for the UAE and captained the UAE Under-19 team. Yodhin was said to have turned Yash’s career around when he suggested him to switch from fast bowling to leg-spin, an advice which paved the way for Yash’s rise into one of India’s promising young wrist-spinners.

Yash Punja Girlfriend

As of 2026, there has been no statement from Yash Raj Punja claiming to have a girlfriend or being in a relationship. The young cricketer keeps his private life under the wraps too and is highly focused on his professional cricketing career. No confirmed reports point to any romantic partner with him.

Outside the cricket field, Yash has a disciplined lifestyle, working on fitness and skill development. As of 2026 he is single. There is no information about his dating history or present relationship.

Yash Punja Net Worth 2026

Yash Punja Net Worth is estimated to be around ₹4–6 crore (approx) as of 2026. However, this is an unofficial report. Most of his earnings come from the ₹30 lakh Rajasthan Royals IPL contract, Karnataka domestic cricket, match fees, training contracts and brand endorsement deals that are still developing or lying in wait as his career continues to grow.

Yash Punja Social Media

He is active on Instagram where he posts his Cricket pictures and match practice sessions. Further Social accounts has not been publicly revealed.

• Instagram- @yashpunja — 27K followers as of July 2026

Conclusion

Yash Raj Punja has emerged as one of the most promising youngsters of India. His transfer from Abu Dhabi to Karnataka cricket and then to the IPL showcases his determination and commitment to the cricketing world. His ability to provide the ball with an unusual height and spin as well as the steep bounce has made him a unique talent in the game of modern cricket.

Yash journey in domestic cricket and the IPL has continued to build up his expectations. Yash Punja’s consistent form and consistent development has the potential to make him a big force in Indian spin bowling in the coming years.

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