Shikhar Dhawan to feature in Nepal Premier League for Karnali Yaks

Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Karnali Yaks have signed former Indian cricketer, Shikhar Dhawan for the forthcoming edition of the Nepal Premier League. The 38-year-old is Karnali’s fourth overseas signing. Having already finalized the drafting of the West Indies’ Chadwick Walton, Pakistan’s Hussain Talat, and Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat, Dhawan coming into the mix only strengthens the team.

Not only does Dhawan’s addition fortify Karnali’s structure, but it also adds substantial value to the NPL, which is all set to kickstart its inaugural edition with a bang. International superstars such as Martin Guptill, James Neesham, and Ben Cutting have already formalized an agreement with various franchises in the tournament. 

Dhawan, who confirmed his retirement from international and domestic cricket in August this year, played his last competitive game in April when he was leading the Punjab Kings in IPL. The former India cricketer last featured in a T20I for India in 2021. After gradually ceasing to be a contender in the top order across all formats of the game for the national side, Dhawan redirected all his energy towards the IPL. He has a total of 1,759 runs in 66 innings at a healthy strike rate. 

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Despite his form slumping towards the fag end of his career, he is still considered to be one of India’s finest opening batters. The swashbuckling Southpaw, who holds the record for registering the fastest Test century by a debutant as well as claiming the Player of the Tournament award during the 2013 edition of the Champions Trophy in addition to a plethora of records in the IPL, is sure to set the league on fire with his classical strokeplay and unwavering intent.  

Karnali’s marquee player is Sompal Kami, while Gyanendra Malla is the franchise’s head coach. Gulshan Jha, Nandan Yadav, and Dev Khanal are the three players who were acquired in the NPL players auction under the ‘A’ category.