Yash Thakur, the fast bowler from Vidarbha, is getting a bigger opportunity in Indian cricket after years of strong performances in domestic competitions and the Indian Premier League (IPL). His consistent bowling has now helped him earn another chance to represent India in white-ball cricket.
Thakur was recently called up to replace the injured Harshit Rana in India’s squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games. The selection gives the right-arm pacer an opportunity to prove himself at the international level.
Thakur first received an India call-up during the team’s tour of Zimbabwe in July. He was part of the T20I squad and made his international debut during the series. He later took four wickets across two matches, giving the selectors another reason to consider him for future assignments.
His latest selection includes matches in New Delhi from September 13 to 17, followed by the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. The cricket competition at the Asian Games will continue until October 3, when the final medal matches are scheduled to take place.
Born on December 28, 1998, in Kolkata, Thakur is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket. He has built an impressive record across different formats and has become a reliable wicket-taking option.
In First-Class cricket, Thakur has played 33 matches and taken 97 wickets. In List A cricket, he has collected 90 wickets from 57 matches. His T20 record is also impressive, with 114 wickets in 76 games.
One of his strongest recent domestic seasons came in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Thakur finished as Vidarbha’s leading wicket-taker after taking 19 wickets in nine matches.
He produced two particularly impressive performances during the tournament. He claimed 4/6 against Baroda, producing a highly economical spell, and later took 4/50 against Saurashtra in the final. These performances showed his ability to deliver wickets in important matches.
Thakur has also been a regular member of India A teams, giving him valuable experience against strong opposition. His performances eventually earned him an opportunity in the IPL when the Lucknow Super Giants signed him in 2023.
He quickly made an impact in the tournament. While playing for Lucknow, Thakur took 4/37 against Punjab Kings, announcing himself as a bowler capable of performing under the pressure of the IPL.
In the 2024 IPL season, he produced another memorable performance by taking a career-best 5/30 against Gujarat Titans. His ability to take wickets at important moments helped increase his reputation as a dangerous white-ball bowler.
Thakur moved to Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 IPL season and continued his professional career with the franchise under captain Shreyas Iyer. Regular exposure to high-pressure T20 matches has helped him develop his skills and gain confidence.
His journey from domestic cricket to the IPL and then the Indian team has been built on consistent performances. Thakur has shown that he can succeed in different conditions and formats, while his wicket-taking ability remains one of his biggest strengths.
With another international opportunity now available, Thakur will be looking to make the most of his selection. The Afghanistan T20I series and Asian Games could provide him with valuable experience and an important chance to establish himself as a regular option for India’s white-ball teams.