Shikhar Dhawan To Play For Karnali Yaks In Inaugural Nepal Premier League Season

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian cricket opener, is set to participate in the first season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). He joined Karnali Yaks on Thursday, November 14. This move follows his recent retirement from both international and domestic cricket.

Dhawan's decision to join Karnali Yaks comes shortly after he ended his career in international and domestic cricket. The left-handed batsman was also released by Punjab Kings (PBKS), his Indian Premier League (IPL) team, before the 2025 mega-auction.

During the injury-affected IPL 2024 season, Dhawan captained Punjab Kings in five matches. He managed to score 152 runs with a strike rate of 125.62. Dhawan had been part of PBKS since 2022 and led them for three seasons until his retirement.

Karnali Yaks shared their excitement about signing Dhawan on X, stating, "Karnali Yaks is bringing the fierce energy of 'Gabbar' himself, Shikhar Dhawan, to the Nepal Premier League! With his dynamic style and experience, he's ready to shake things up. Brace yourselves because Gabbar has arrived."

In August, Dhawan announced his retirement through an emotional Instagram post. After retiring, he played in the Legends League Cricket 2024. Known for his ODI performances, he scored 6,793 runs in 167 matches at an average of 44.1. His achievements include 17 centuries and 39 fifties.

Dhawan formed a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma during his peak ODI days. In Test cricket, he scored 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6. His Test career included seven centuries and five half-centuries.

T20I and Domestic Achievements

In T20 Internationals, Dhawan played 68 matches and accumulated 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9 with eleven fifties. In domestic First-Class cricket, he participated in 122 matches and scored a remarkable 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26 with twenty-five centuries and twenty-nine fifties.

Dhawan's illustrious career across formats showcases his versatility as a cricketer. His contributions have left a lasting impact on Indian cricket fans worldwide.