Yash Thakur (PBKS): -0.9 Ecae and a Declining Projection Put Him Behind Arshdeep
Yash Thakur sits outside the model's optimal XII with the lowest projected WAR/M on the roster at 0.01. His Ecae of -0.94 and bowling surplus of -32 indicate he has been significantly worse than replacement level in recent seasons. The raw bowling WAR/M of 0.03 across 1021 career bowling balls confirms the decline.
Bowling
Thakur bowled 174 overs at 8 economy with 83 wickets across 51 T20 matches. The career numbers look respectable on the surface. By phase: 7 PP economy, 8 mid economy, 9 death economy.
| Phase | Economy | vs Avg | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP (1-6) | 7.2 | -1.9 vs 9.1 | 24 |
| Mid (7-15) | 8.3 | -0.4 vs 8.7 | 13 |
| Death (16-20) | 8.6 | -1.7 vs 10.3 | 46 |
The career numbers are strong, but the -0.94 Ecae tells you the recent trajectory is sharply downward. The model detects that his current form is well below his career averages, which is why the projected WAR/M collapses to 0.01.
Why He Misses the XII
Arshdeep Singh occupies the domestic pace bowling slot. Thakur's projected 0.01 WAR/M vs Arshdeep's 0.29 makes the gap enormous. Even as a backup, Vyshak Vijaykumar projects marginally higher.
What This Means for IPL 2026
Thakur is deep domestic pace reserve. His career death-overs numbers (9 economy, 46 wickets) suggest the talent exists, but the model sees a player in decline. A strong early-season performance could change the trajectory, but the current numbers do not support a starting role.