Yash Raj Punja is one of the most exciting young leg-spinners to emerge from Indian domestic cricket in recent years.
At just 19 years old, he earned an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals and made his debut in 2026 — a remarkable feat for a teenager who once had to choose between a career in medicine and the sport he loves.
This article covers everything you need to know about Yash Raj Punja’s net worth, IPL salary, career journey, and financial picture in 2026.
Yash Raj Punja’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yash Raj Punja |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 2006 |
| Age | 20 years |
| Birthplace | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Nationality | Indian (represents Karnataka) |
| Height | Approx. 6 feet 5–6 inches |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg-break (leg-spin) |
| Playing Role | Bowler / All-rounder |
| Current Team | Rajasthan Royals (IPL 2026) |
| Domestic Team | Karnataka (India) |
| Turned Professional | 2024–25 (Maharaja Trophy, Karnataka) |
| Net Worth | Estimated ₹20–25 lakh (~$24,000–$30,000 USD) |
| IPL 2026 Salary | ₹30 lakh (Rajasthan Royals) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
Early Life & Career
Yash Raj Punja was born on January 26, 2006, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to Dheeraj and Shilpa Punja.
He grew up attending Cambridge High School in Abu Dhabi, where sport was always part of his life.
His older brother, Yodhin Punja — who holds the distinction of being the youngest player to represent UAE in men’s international cricket — played a massive role in shaping Yash’s cricketing ambitions.
Yash initially started as a seam bowler at the Zayed Cricket Academy in Abu Dhabi. However, Yodhin recognized Yash’s natural ability to spin the ball and advised him to switch to leg-spin.
That single decision changed the course of his career. As Yash himself has noted, his googly came naturally from the start — and it became his most dangerous weapon.
When he finished his 12th-grade exams in 2023, Yash stood at a crossroads that many young athletes face. He could pursue medicine in the UK, or he could commit entirely to cricket.
He chose cricket. Packing his bags, he moved to Bengaluru to train in a more competitive environment — a bold, life-defining move for a teenager who had never played professional cricket at that point.
Professional Career
After relocating to Bengaluru, Yash began training at an academy associated with former India captain Rahul Dravid.
While waiting out the mandatory qualification period to represent Karnataka in domestic cricket, he played first-division club cricket and served as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals during their training camp.
The turning point came almost by chance. While Yash was bowling in the nets during an RR camp, one of their coaches noticed his height, his sharp turn, and his natural ability to generate bounce.
The coach invited him to a four-day extended camp, and the rest unfolded quickly. ESPNcricinfo’s profile of Yash Raj Punja describes him as a tall leg-spinner with rare attributes for T20 cricket.
His breakout season came in the 2025 Maharaja Trophy, where he represented Hubli Tigers and took 23 wickets — finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with an average of 12.48 and an economy of 7.45.
Those numbers were extraordinary for a teenage spinner in a high-scoring T20 competition. His performances helped Hubli Tigers reach the tournament final.
In December 2025, Rajasthan Royals signed him at the IPL 2026 auction for the base price of ₹30 lakh, making him one of the most talked-about uncapped pickups of the auction cycle.
Yash made his IPL debut in 2026 and delivered an encouraging first outing — bowling four overs, conceding just 25 runs, and picking up the wicket of Ramandeep Singh to finish with figures of 1/25.
For a teenager on one of the most watched cricket stages in the world, that was a composure-filled performance.
According to Wisden’s feature on Punja’s rise, former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop publicly took notice of Punja during a 2024 net session and praised his raw talent.
Yash Raj Punja’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Yash Raj Punja has an estimated net worth of approximately ₹20–25 lakh (~$24,000–$30,000 USD).
He built this wealth primarily through his IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals and his domestic cricket appearances with Karnataka.
Contract
Rajasthan Royals acquired Yash Raj Punja at the IPL 2026 auction in December 2025 for ₹30 lakh — matching his base price, which signals that while multiple teams may have been watching him, RR moved early and decisively.
He is classified as an uncapped Indian player, meaning he has not yet represented India at the senior international level.
His IPL 2026 contract marks the first major professional deal of his career, and the official IPL website confirms his squad listing with Rajasthan Royals for the current season.
Salary
Yash Raj Punja’s IPL 2026 salary stands at ₹30 lakh for the season — the standard base-price contract for an uncapped domestic player.
Prior to this, his income came through Karnataka’s domestic cricket circuit, including the Maharaja Trophy.
BCCI match fees for domestic players typically range between ₹35,000 and ₹60,000 per match depending on the format, which adds a modest but meaningful contribution to his annual earnings.
His total cricket-related earnings in 2025–26, combining domestic fees and his IPL salary, are estimated between ₹50–60 lakh when accounting for the full domestic season.
Career Earnings by Year
| Season | Tournament | Earnings (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Karnataka Domestic Debut / Net Bowler (RR) | ₹5–8 lakh (est.) |
| 2025 | Maharaja Trophy (Hubli Tigers) | ₹10–12 lakh (est.) |
| 2025–26 | IPL 2026 (Rajasthan Royals) | ₹30 lakh (confirmed) |
Career Statistics
Bowling — Domestic T20 (Maharaja Trophy 2025)
| Tournament | Team | Matches | Overs Bowled | Runs | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharaja Trophy 2025 | Hubli Tigers | 12 | — | 287 | 23 | 12.48 | 7.45 | 3/43 |
| IPL 2026 | Rajasthan Royals | 1+ | 4 | 25 | 1 | — | 6.25 | 1/25 |
Batting Summary (Maharaja Trophy)
| Tournament | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharaja Trophy 2025 | 12 | — | — | — | — |
FAQs
What is Yash Raj Punja’s net worth?
Yash Raj Punja’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹20–25 lakh. He earned most of this through his IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals worth ₹30 lakh and domestic cricket fees.
How much did Rajasthan Royals pay for Yash Raj Punja at IPL 2026 auction?
Rajasthan Royals bought Yash Raj Punja for ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December 2025, matching his base price as an uncapped Indian player.
Where is Yash Raj Punja from?
Yash Raj Punja was born in Abu Dhabi, UAE, but he relocated to Bengaluru in 2023 and now represents Karnataka in Indian domestic cricket. He has not played international cricket for UAE.
Who inspired Yash Raj Punja to take up leg-spin bowling?
His older brother Yodhin Punja — the youngest player to represent UAE in men’s international cricket — advised him to switch from seam bowling to leg-spin, which became the turning point of his career.
What were Yash Raj Punja’s Maharaja Trophy 2025 stats?
In the 2025 Maharaja Trophy, Yash took 23 wickets in 12 matches for Hubli Tigers, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with an average of 12.48 and an economy of 7.45.
