Yash Thakur is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who has built a reputation as a dependable death-overs specialist in Indian domestic cricket. Representing Vidarbha and Punjab Kings in the IPL, he is known for yorkers, slower balls and calm execution under pressure. His steady rise from age-group cricket to franchise cricket has been driven by consistency rather than sudden breakthroughs.

Yash Thakur’s Early Life and Background

Yash Thakur was born on December 28, 1998, in Kolkata, West Bengal, and later moved to Nagpur in search of better cricket opportunities. He initially wanted to become a wicketkeeper-batter, but coaches at the Pravin Hinganikar Cricket Academy encouraged him to pursue fast bowling due to his height and natural pace.

The change quickly shaped his career path. As a teenager, he began focusing on seam bowling and soon earned selection to India’s Under-19 setup, playing a role in the team’s 2016 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup triumph, where he picked up multiple wickets.

Yash Thakur’s Domestic Career

He debuted in First-Class cricket on November 28, 2018, in the Ranji Trophy. In red-ball matches, he developed into a steady seam bowler capable of bowling long spells.

Thakur made his List A debut for Vidarbha on February 25, 2017, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Over time, he became a regular wicket-taking option in the format. His major breakthrough came in the 2021-22 season when he finished as Vidarbha’s leading wicket-taker.

His T20 debut came on February 21, 2019, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Thakur gradually became known for finishing overs under pressure, particularly in close games where he defended small totals in the final overs. His slower balls and yorkers turned him into Vidarbha’s preferred death-overs bowler in domestic T20 competitions.

Yash Thakur’s IPL Career

Yash Thakur entered the IPL with Lucknow Super Giants in 2023 and made his debut against Chennai Super Kings. He gained wider recognition in the following season when he claimed a five-wicket haul against the Gujarat Titans.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Punjab Kings signed him for INR 1.60 crore and retained him for 2026, trusting his ability in the death overs. His role in the league has largely centred around closing out innings and controlling scoring during high-pressure moments, mirroring the responsibilities he developed in domestic cricket.

(As of March 2026)