Meet Nehal Wadhera: The "New Age" Yuvraj Singh Of Punjab Kings (image: instagram/@nehalwadhera)
In a whirlwind IPL debut, Nehal Wadhera went from uncertainty to heroics, playing a crucial role in Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) victory. “I didn’t know I would be playing that’s why I took one bat only with me and even wore a full sleeve jersey” this is what Wadhera said in the post-match press conference after his impactful debut match for PBKS. He led the team to it’s formidable victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in yesterday’s IPL match.
The batting display at yesterday must be guaranteeing his place in the team as a finisher. He was bought by PBKS for ₹4.20 crore in IPL auction. It is his third IPL season, and he played for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023 and 2024. He marked his name in the debut season with an impressive 241 runs in 10 innings including fifties against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). But the next season in the blue and gold colours was not that colourful because he got only 6 outings before MI released him prior to mega auction 2025.
Wadhera’s cricketing journey can not be valuated only by his IPL career. He has showcased enough signs of talent in his younger days when he was compared with the Indian legend Yuvraj Singh for his middle-order batting style. It was first identified by Harijindher Singh who coached Nehal in Punjab U-19 team. “You can see glimpses of Yuvraj in him, there is an elegance and his batting is effortless” he said to The Times of India in a 2018 interview.
He had grabbed the attention of national selectors at that time for his batting heroics for Punjab U-19. In 2017-18 season of Cooch Bihar Trophy he hit a mouth watering 529 runs which made the selectors no choice but to select him for India’s U-19 team. Announcing his arrival for his country in style, he hit 81 runs in the debut match for the team. Hailing from Ludhiana district of Punjab, Wadhera was the third cricketer from the place to play for India in any level. Before him, Yashpal Sharma and Gagandheep Singh have played for the country, but at senior level.
There is another story to cement Wadhera’s place as a great talent of this sport. In April 2024 in an inter-district match in Punjab he smashed 578 runs breaking the record of Brian Lara as the highest score in an innings in a four-day match. He had also became the fastest player to reach 200, 300, 400, and 500 runs in any level of recognised cricket. Wadhera was honoured by the Junior Chamber International for his achievement as well.
Eventually selected for senior level, he further proved his mettle as a skilled cricketer by number of impressive outings. On his debut in first-class cricket, in 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, he amassed a match-winning innings of 123 runs. In the third match against Madhya Pradesh, he scored a double century as well as a man of the match title. He extended his heroics in the debut senior level season to the limited overs. In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Baroda he cracked a scintillating 27-ball 61, leading Punjab to its maiden title in 2023.
Now, marking another debut for PBKS in style he is making a testament for his future where a senior international career should be inevitable.
(This story is part of a Timeline internship project)
