Yash Thakur continues his rise as one of India’s most promising fast bowlers, entering the IPL 2026 season with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Known for his sharp yorkers, clever variations, and strong death-over control, the Vidarbha pacer has quickly established himself as a match-winning bowler in T20 cricket.
After impressing with stellar performances in IPL 2023 and 2024, PBKS retained him for IPL 2026 at a price of ₹1.60 Crore, showing their confidence in his long-term potential.
IPL 2026 Contract Details
IPL 2026 Price & Team
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Team | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
| IPL 2026 Price | ₹1.60 Crore |
| Retained Status | Retained |
| IPL Debut | 2023 |
| Role | Fast Bowler |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast-Medium |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 28 December 1998 |
| Matches Played | 21 |
Yash Thakur – Rising Fast-Bowling Talent
Yash Thakur has emerged from Vidarbha’s cricketing system and quickly become one of India’s most exciting young fast bowlers. His journey includes standout performances in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and match-winning spells in pressure situations.
He first gained wide recognition when he topped the wicket charts in the 2021–22 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 18 wickets. His ability to strike early, bowl tight spells, and handle death overs made him a strong T20 contender.
In IPL 2023, he made an immediate impact with 13 wickets in 9 matches, including a brilliant 4/37 against PBKS. His next season saw him produce his career-best IPL spell of 5/30, proving his ability to dominate even strong batting line-ups.
With PBKS retaining him for IPL 2026, he now forms a key part of their attack.
Yash Thakur IPL Auction Price History
| Year | Price | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ₹45.00 Lakh | Lucknow Super Giants |
| 2025 | ₹1.60 Crore | Punjab Kings |
| 2026 | ₹1.60 Crore (Retained) | Punjab Kings |
Why PBKS Retained Yash Thakur for IPL 2026
Punjab Kings decided to retain him due to:
- Effective death-overs control
- Ability to pick wickets early and late in the innings
- Outstanding spells in 2023 & 2024 seasons
- Reliable backup for senior pacers
- Huge improvement curve & long-term value
PBKS see him as a bowler who can deliver in crunch situations and complement their pace attack.
See Also:- Most Unsuccessful Team in IPL History
Yash Thakur IPL Career Bowling Stats
Bowling Career Overview
| Year | Matches | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Best | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 39 | 79 | 1 | 1/39 | 79.00 | 12.15 | 39.00 |
| 2024 | 10 | 213 | 402 | 11 | 5/30 | 36.55 | 11.32 | 19.36 |
| 2023 | 9 | 191 | 289 | 13 | 4/37 | 22.23 | 9.08 | 14.69 |
| All IPL | 21 | 443 | 770 | 25 | 5/30 | 30.80 | 10.43 | 17.72 |
Yash Thakur has two standout spells:
- 5/30 – his maiden IPL five-wicket haul
- 4/37 – match-winning spell in debut season
These performances highlight his wicket-taking ability and temperament under pressure.
Strengths & Playing Style
Key Strengths
- Deadly yorkers in death overs
- Ability to bowl consistent lines in powerplay
- Sharp bouncer & slower-ball variations
- Calm temperament under pressure
- Effective on gripping and two-paced pitches
His mix of pace, control, and variations makes him a valuable T20 bowler.
Career Journey & Domestic Success
Yash Thakur’s early breakthroughs came from:
- U19 Asia Cup 2016: 9 wickets in 5 matches
- Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021–22: Leading wicket-taker (18 wickets)
- Vijay Hazare 2022–23: 15 wickets in 10 innings
His match-winning 4/29 vs Delhi, defending nine runs in the last over, showed his big-match mentality.
This domestic success led to his IPL entry and his eventual signing as a key bowler for Punjab Kings.
IPL 2026 Outlook
Yash Thakur is expected to:
- Play a bigger role in PBKS’s pace attack
- Deliver crucial overs at the start and end of innings
- Partner effectively with PBKS’s experienced pacers
- Strengthen the team’s bowling depth
Punjab Kings view him as a long-term investment and a future pace leader.
Conclusion
Yash Thakur’s journey from Vidarbha’s domestic cricket to becoming a retained player for PBKS in IPL 2026 reflects his immense talent and consistency. With wicket-taking spells, strong death-bowling skills, and continuous growth, he is set to play an important role in the upcoming season.
His retained price of ₹1.60 Crore shows PBKS’s faith in his abilities and his potential to become one of the standout bowlers in the league
