Yash Vagadia is an emerging English cricketer of Indian origin who plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The 21-year-old, born on May 7, 2004, in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, is a right-handed batting all-rounder, also bowling right-arm off-breaks. Vagadia's recent appearance as a substitute fielder for England captain Ben Stokes during the first Test against India at Headingley has brought him into the spotlight, despite not being a part of the official England squad for the match. Along with his Yorkshire teammates Jawad Akhtar and Noah Kelly, Vagadia was named for 12th man duties for the Test.

Vagadia's journey in cricket began at a young age, first representing Yorkshire at the Under-14 level. He has since progressed through the age groups and the Academy, eventually captaining the county's Academy and Under-18 teams. He plays club cricket for Hartlepool. His dedication and performance earned him his first rookie professional contract with Yorkshire ahead of the 2023 season, and he extended his contract by another two years in July 2024, securing his place with the club through the end of 2026.

In 2022, Vagadia's contributions were instrumental in the second team winning the Championship title. He further showcased his talent in the Second XI T20 competition, where he was the leading run-scorer for Yorkshire, amassing 213 runs and helping the team reach the final. Throughout 2024, he scored 1,152 runs from 41 matches across all cricket formats, including appearances for Northumberland.

Beyond his cricketing achievements, Vagadia is also dedicated to his education. He is pursuing a joint honors degree in Biology and Chemistry at Durham University. His commitment to both academics and sports was recognized in late 2023 when he received the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) Futures Award, winning the top prize in the Academic Progression category.

Vagadia's talent has not gone unnoticed, and he has previously had the experience of sub-fielding for England during the Ashes Test victory over Australia at Headingley in 2023. According to Noah Kelly, who is also sharing 12th man duties with Vagadia for the current Test, being around the England dressing room offers a "fantastic learning opportunity."

Looking ahead to 2025, Vagadia hopes to build on his first-team experience and make his debut in T20 and four-day cricket for Yorkshire. He is considered a valuable asset to Yorkshire, with his right-hand batting and off-spin bowling adding depth to the team.