Yash Raj Punja

Yash Raj Punja is a 20-year-old tall, right-arm leg-spinner from Karnataka who was signed by Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 5 inches, Punja is a rare physical specimen in the leg-spin category. His height allows him to generate exceptional bounce and torque, drawing early comparisons to 'mystery' tall spinners like R. Sai Kishore or even a young Anil Kumble. His talent was famously spotlighted when veteran commentator Ian Bishop shared a photo of him while he was serving as a net bowler, marking him as a high-potential 'project' player for the RR academy.

Punja enters the 2026 season on the back of impressive performances in regional T20 leagues. Representing the Hubli Tigers in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, he demonstrated a knack for breaking partnerships, finishing with an economy rate of 7.45 and a best of 3/18. He has also represented the UAE at the international level (ODI and T20I), where his ability to deceive batters with drift and bounce made him a standout. Within the Rajasthan Royals squad, he joins a specialized spin unit led by Ravi Bishnoi, offering the franchise a unique tactical option to exploit the extra bounce at venues like Jaipur and Guwahati.