David Warner Joins Kathmandu Gorkhas for NPL Season 3 in Blockbuster Signing for Nepali Cricket
Australian cricket superstar David Warner has joined the Kathmandu Gorkhas for the third season of the Nepal Premier League, becoming the franchise's biggest international signing so far.
· 4 min read
KATHMANDU: Australian cricket superstar David Warner is coming to Nepal after joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas for the third season of the Nepal Premier League.
The franchise announced Warner as its third foreign signing on Tuesday, confirming what had been teased through a series of clues on social media.
The former Australian opener, one of the most recognizable and explosive batters of his generation, will now bring his international experience to Nepal's biggest domestic cricket tournament.
In a video message shared by the Kathmandu Gorkhas, Warner said he was excited to come to Nepal and experience the country's passionate cricket culture.
“I am really excited to be coming to Nepal and joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas squad.”
Warner also acknowledged the difficult period Nepal has recently gone through and said he hoped the NPL could bring people together and provide some joy.
He ended his message with a phrase that immediately connected with Nepali supporters:
“Three cities, one soul, one team and one dream. Ayo Gorkhali!”
One of the Biggest Signings in NPL History
Warner is widely regarded as the biggest international signing in NPL history so far.
His career includes some of the biggest trophies in international cricket.
Warner's Major International Achievements
2015 ODI World Cup — Champion with Australia
2021 T20 World Cup — Champion with Australia
2023 ODI World Cup — Champion with Australia
2021–23 World Test Championship — Champion with Australia
2011 T20 World Cup — Player of the Series
His arrival gives the NPL a player who has competed and succeeded at the highest level of international cricket.
Nearly 19,000 International Runs
Warner finished his international career with an extraordinary record across all three formats.
He played:
112 Tests
161 ODIs
110 T20Is
Across those matches, he scored nearly 19,000 international runs and recorded 49 international centuries.
His centuries include:
26 Test centuries
22 ODI centuries
1 T20I century
Warner also holds the second-highest individual Test score by an Australian batter, having scored an unbeaten 335 against Pakistan in Adelaide in 2019.
A Superstar of Franchise Cricket
Warner's reputation extends well beyond international cricket.
He has been one of the most successful and consistent overseas players in the Indian Premier League, where he finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
He has scored more than 500 runs in seven IPL seasons and played a major role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's 2016 title-winning campaign, when he captained the side.
He has also represented Delhi in the IPL.
His experience in major franchise leagues around the world is expected to bring another level of exposure and excitement to the NPL.
Kathmandu Gorkhas Worked for Months on the Deal
Kathmandu Gorkhas Executive Director Anubhab Swar Sirohiya said bringing Warner to Nepal required months of discussions and persistence.
He described the signing as something bigger than simply adding an international player to the squad.
According to Sirohiya, the franchise hopes Warner's presence will:
Inspire young Nepali cricketers
Excite cricket supporters across the country
Attract greater international attention to Nepali cricket
Help promote the NPL globally
Give Nepali fans an opportunity to watch a global cricket icon in person
The franchise also said it was proud to bring Warner to the TU International Cricket Ground, the home of Nepali cricket.
Warner's NPL Arrival Comes at a Difficult Time for Nepal
In his announcement video, Warner referred to the difficult period many people in Nepal have recently experienced.
His message that cricket could provide “some joy” and something for people to come together around gives his arrival an added emotional significance.
For Nepali fans, the opportunity to watch a player who has lifted multiple World Cup trophies play on home soil is also a major moment for the country's growing cricket culture.
NPL Season 3 Begins in October
The third season of the Nepal Premier League is scheduled to run from October 26 to November 21.
With Warner now confirmed as a Kathmandu Gorkhas player, attention will turn to his first appearance at the TU Cricket Ground and his first experience of the atmosphere created by Nepali cricket supporters.
After years of seeing Warner dominate international and franchise cricket from afar, Nepali fans will now get the chance to watch the Australian star play in Nepal.
Published 2 hours ago in Sports