‘Namma Huduga’ Yash set for IPL leap with RR

Bengaluru: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches, Karnataka has a new reason to cheer, with its own “Namma Huduga” Yash Raj Punja stepping onto the biggest stage of T20 cricket. Karnataka’s Yash Raj Punja, a tall leg spinner, was picked by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2026 at Rs 30 lakh at the age of 19. Born in the UAE to a Bunt family, the Mangaluru boy has also developed his game in the UAE.

The 19-year-old cricketer, who has risen through the ranks from local grounds and the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, has earned a place in the Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad, marking a significant milestone in his young career.

For Punja, the journey from domestic cricket in Karnataka to the IPL has been one of persistence, discipline and belief. He had earlier served as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals before being picked in the IPL 2026 auction, and impressed with a strong showing in the Maharaja Trophy, where he emerged as one of the top wicket-takers. 

Having been backed by RR over the past two years, he credits the franchise for shaping his game and preparing him for the demands of top-level cricket. “It is wonderful to start my IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals. At this level, it is not just about playing, but preparing smartly and working on specific areas to improve,” he said. 

Despite dealing with an injury in the lead-up to the season, Punja has undergone weeks of rest, rehabilitation and focused training to ensure he is ready for the tournament. His preparation reflects the evolving nature of modern cricket, where training goes beyond the nets to include strength-building, speed enhancement and tactical awareness. “It is about precision, planning and performing under pressure,” he noted.

Being part of a franchise known for nurturing young talent, Punja has had the opportunity to interact with senior players, including the then Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson. He describes Samson as a motivating presence who takes the effort to guide younger players. “He was very specific about my bowling, fitness and areas I needed to improve. Sometimes the right advice at the right time makes all the difference,” Punja said.

Punja also looks up to mentors like Zubin Bharucha and draws inspiration from Indian bowling greats such as Anil Kumble and Yuzvendra Chahal. Standing tall at around 6 feet 5 inches, he believes his height gives him a natural advantage as a bowler, something he considers his “X-factor” heading into the IPL.

As he prepares to play under the leadership of Riyan Parag, Punja is conscious of the pressures that come with the IPL. From performing in packed stadiums to securing a place in the playing XI, the mental aspect of the game becomes crucial. He emphasises the importance of managing pressure through personal techniques such as visualisation, a practice he follows regularly before matches.For aspiring cricketers in Karnataka and beyond, Punja has a simple message, focus on mental conditioning, self-belief and, above all, enjoy the game. 

“The moment you let pressure take over, performance suffers,” he said.Having grown up supporting Rajasthan Royals, the opportunity to now wear the team’s jersey is a dream come true for the young Karnataka cricketer. 

As he steps into the IPL arena, all eyes will be on this “namma huduga” to see how he translates promise into performance on cricket’s grandest domestic stage.