Karnali Yaks, a team in the Nepal Premier League, has made a groundbreaking announcement by signing renowned Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. This historic signing marks Dhawan’s debut in Nepal’s domestic league, making him one of the biggest stars to ever participate in Nepali cricket.
The Yaks, whose marquee player is Sompal Kami, revealed the signing via social media. Sources indicate that Dhawan will play four matches in the league, during which he plans to visit iconic sites in Nepal, including the Pashupatinath Temple.
Representatives from the Yaks traveled to India on Monday to finalize the contract with Dhawan. The signing was attended by team owner Jhanak Dutta Khanal and Dhawan, who both signed the agreement. While the financial details remain undisclosed, the ceremony saw esteemed attendees, including Acting Ambassador of Nepal to India, Dr. Surendra Thapa, along with Karnali Yaks co-owner Grihendra Ghimire.
Expressing his joy over Dhawan’s inclusion, owner Jhanak Datt Khanal shared, “Bringing a globally recognized player into Nepali cricket is a tremendous achievement for us and for Nepali cricket as a whole. The entire Karnali Yaks team is thrilled, and we believe Dhawan’s presence will benefit not only the Yaks but also Nepali cricket and our local players.”
Dhawan himself voiced excitement about joining the league, stating, “I am thrilled to be part of the Karnali Yaks and look forward to playing in this league.”
Co-owner Grihendra Ghimire acknowledged the financial challenges faced to bring a player of Dhawan’s caliber, adding, “Amid these economic challenges, we are proud to bring one of the world’s most celebrated cricketers, Shikhar Dhawan, into the league. His presence will drive success for both Karnali Yaks and Nepalese cricket.”
Following Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, who played in Nepal’s Everest Premier League in 2021 for Kathmandu Kings XI, Dhawan will be one of the most prominent international stars in Nepal’s cricket leagues. Afridi’s time in Nepal was cut short after two matches, with the second game rained out.
The 39-year-old left-handed batsman boasts an illustrious international career, having represented India in 269 matches—comprising 167 ODIs, 69 T20Is, and 34 Tests. Dhawan has an impressive record of 24 international centuries and over 10,000 international runs, placing him among India’s elite players.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan is the second-highest run-scorer in the league’s history. Captaining Punjab Kings in the latest IPL season, Dhawan has played for five different IPL teams, scoring 6,769 runs in 222 matches at an average of 35.25, with 2 centuries and 51 half-centuries. The only player ahead of him is Indian star Virat Kohli, who has amassed 8,004 runs.
Karnali Yaks, whose marquee Nepali player is former national captain Gyanendra Malla, has previously signed three foreign players: Chadwick Walton from the West Indies, all-rounder Hussain Talat from Pakistan, and Babar Hayat from Hong Kong.
Karnali Yaks Team Roster
- Marquee Player: Sompal Kami
- Squad: Gulsan Kumar Jha, Nandan Yadav, Mausam Dhakal, Arjun Gharti, Dev Khanal, Rit Gautam, Bhuvan Karki, Dipendra Rawat, Dipak Dumre, Unish Bikram Singh Thakuri
- Foreign Players: Shikhar Dhawan, Chadwick Walton, Babar Hayat, Hussain Talat
- Head Coach: Gyanendra Malla (Nepal)
- Consultant Coach: Raju Basnyat (Nepal)
