Karnataka leg-spinner Yash Raj Punja made his debut for Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

Punja was bought by Rajasthan Royals for his base price of Rs. 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction.

The 19-year-old, who hails from Mangalore, was the second highest wicket taker in the 2025 edition of the Maharaja Cup, taking 23 wickets from 10 matches at an impressive average of 12.48.

The lanky leg spinner is known for his googly and other variations, along with an ability to generate extra bounce and turn the ball at high pace. The teenager adds valuable depth to RR’s spin bowling attack, which is spearheaded by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi.

Punja registered figures of 1/25 from his four overs on debut, picking the crucial wicket of Ramandeep Singh.

Published on Apr 19, 2026