Australian cricket star David Warner has signed with the Kathmandu Gorkhas as a marquee international player for the third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). In a video message on Tuesday, the 39-year-old opener confirmed his participation, becoming one of the biggest names to feature in the tournament.
Warner will join the squad that already includes Sri Lankan all-rounder Sahan Arachchige and former Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat. His signing is a major boost for the T20 competition, which is scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 21 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Nepal.
David Warner Joins Kathmandu Gorkhas for Nepal Premier League
The Gorkhas had teased the signing through a series of social media clues. They first posted images of the ODI and T20 World Cup trophies before revealing a necklace featuring the number 31, David Warner’s jersey number.
The franchise then confirmed his arrival through a video message from the Australian star. Warner expressed his excitement about visiting Nepal. He also hoped the NPL would give supporters something to celebrate and bring people together.
“Hi everyone, I am really excited to be coming to Nepal and joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas squad. I know it has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, and I hope that the NPL could bring some joy and give people something to come together,” Warner said.
“I have heard so much about the passion and the fans. I can’t wait to experience it all. I can’t wait to meet you and get out there and be with my team. Three cities, one soul, one team and one dream. Ayo Gorkhali!”
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Anubhab Swar Sirohiya Reveals Efforts Behind David Warner Signing
Kathmandu Gorkhas executive director Anubhab Swar Sirohiya said the franchise spent months working to bring David Warner to Nepal. He described the signing as an important moment not only for the team but also for Nepali cricket.
Sirohiya believes Warner’s presence can inspire young cricketers, attract more international attention and give local fans the chance to watch one of the biggest names in the sport at the TU International Cricket Ground.
“This moment is deeply personal to me as well,” Sirohiya said. “Bringing David Warner to the Kathmandu Gorkhas was not something that happened overnight. It took months of conversations, persistence and belief from everyone involved.”
“This is much bigger than one signing or one franchise. If bringing a global icon like David Warner to Nepal can inspire young players, excite our supporters, attract greater international attention and contribute in some way to the growth of Nepali cricket, then it will be one of the most meaningful things I have had the privilege of being part of,” Sirohiya added.
David Warner Brings World Cup Pedigree and IPL Success to NPL
David Warner had an outstanding record in international cricket. He played 112 Tests, 161 ODIs, and 110 T20Is for Australia, scoring nearly 19,000 runs and 49 centuries across the three formats.
The left-hander was part of Australia’s ODI World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023 and also lifted the T20 World Cup in 2021. He was part of Australia’s World Test Championship-winning team in 2023.
The southpaw was named Player of the Tournament at the 2021 T20 World Cup. Warner also holds the second-highest individual Test score by an Australian, having smashed 335 not out against Pakistan in Adelaide in 2019.
Warner is the only player to win the IPL Orange Cap three times, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer in 2015, 2017, and 2019. He also captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title in 2016.
The 39-year-old has played franchise cricket in the IPL, BBL, PSL, The Hundred, Major League Cricket, BPL, CPL, and Vitality Blast. He will now bring that experience to Nepal when the third season of the NPL begins on October 26.
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