Dhawan’s unbeaten 72 guides Yaks to 149/5 vs Gurkhas

KATHMANDU: On Wednesday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Indian cricket sensation Shikhar Dhawan showed a spectacular performance in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) by hitting a dominant unbeaten 72 off 51 balls against the Kathmandu Gurkhas. This is Dhawan's first half-century in the tournament while playing for the Karnali Yaks, giving his squad a much-needed boost.

Dhawan had a lackluster performance in Karnali's first game against the Janakpur Bolts, managing just 14 runs. But against the Gurkhas, he showed his class by leading the innings and making sure Karnali achieved a respectable 149/5 in their 20 overs. The Gurkhas had won the toss and decided to field first.

Dhawan's hit was a brilliant example of well-planned aggression. The 38-year-old southpaw took five sixes and four boundaries while stabilizing the innings despite wickets falling consistently at the other end. He maintained his team's prospects of winning the event by striking a balance between caution and flare, demonstrating his versatility under stress.

The Karnali Yaks have failed to win in the league after losing badly to the Janakpur Bolts by eight wickets in their opening match. Dhawan's performance has been a bright spot despite these early failures, giving the Sompal Kami-led team much-needed momentum.

The NPL, the Cricket Association of Nepal's (CAN) premier initiative to raise cricket's profile in Nepal, has benefited greatly from Dhawan's participation. The league features eight teams with both domestic and international players, and Dhawan's background as an IPL player draws a lot of interest. After retiring from international cricket to play in the NPL, Dhawan exited the IPL earlier this year.

Dhawan's desire to explore new opportunities and encourage cricket's growth in developing nations is clear in his decision to travel to Nepal. His current IPL run total of nearly 6700 places him second only to Virat Kohli. His background and reputation provide the NPL legitimacy and demonstrate the league's potential as a platform for regional cricket development.

Because of the competitive nature of the NPL, teams are playing with greater stakes. Additional playoff games will determine the remaining berths, with the top two teams from the league stage vying for a direct final berth in Qualifier 1. In order to salvage their season and compete for the playoffs, the Karnali Yaks will need Dhawan's perseverance and leadership on the field.