Nehal Wadhera
{{Short description|Indian cricketer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Nehal Wadhera
| image =
| caption = Nehal Wadhera in IPL 2023
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|4|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = Right-arm Legbreak
| role = Top order batter
| club1 = Punjab
| year1 = 2023–present
| club2 = Mumbai Indians
| year2 = 2023–2024
| club3 = Punjab Kings
| year3 = 2025–present
| type1 =
| debutdate1 =
| debutyear1 =
| debutfor1 =
| debutagainst1 =
| type2 = T20
| debutdate2 =
| debutyear2 =
| debutfor2 =
| debutagainst2 =
| columns = 3
| hidedeliveries = true
| column1 = FC
| matches1 = 14
| runs1 = 803
| bat avg1 = 40.15
| 100s/50s1 = 3/1
| top score1 = 214
| catches/stumpings1 = 11/0
| column2 = LA
| matches2 = 14
| runs2 = 298
| bat avg2 = 29.80
| 100s/50s2 = 0/1
| top score2 = 57
| catches/stumpings2 = 4/0
| column3 = T20
| matches3 = 52
| runs3 = 1,028
| bat avg3 = 27.05
| 100s/50s3 = 0/6
| top score3 = 70
| catches/stumpings3 = 16/0
| date = 1 June 2025
| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/nehal-wadhera-1151273 Cricinfo
}}
Nehal Wadhera (born 4 September 2000) is an Indian cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and an occasional legbreak bowler.{{Cite web |title=Profile: Nehal Wadhera |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/nehal-wadhera-1151273 |access-date=2023-04-20 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He plays for Punjab in domestic and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.{{Cite web |title=Teams Nehal Wadhera played for |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1947/1947077/all_teams.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=CricketArchive}}
Early life
Wadhera was born in Ludhiana, a city in Punjab.{{Cite web |title=Profile: Nehal Wadhera |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1947/1947077/1947077.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=CricketArchive}} He first started playing cricket at the age of nine. Initially, he used to play as a specialist batsman and put in long hours to work on his fitness.{{Cite web |date= |title=Who Is Nehal Wadhera? All You Need To Know About The Young MI Sensation |url=https://cricwatcher.com/who-is-nehal-wadhera-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-young-mi-sensation/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=CricWatcher |language=en-US |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420063802/https://cricwatcher.com/who-is-nehal-wadhera-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-young-mi-sensation/ |url-status=dead }} He is often referred to by his nickname "new-age Yuvraj Singh" for his middle-order performances and similarity in batting style with Yuvraj Singh.{{Cite web |title=Ludhiana's Nehal Wadhera's direct hit secures victory for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 |url=https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/ludhianas-nehal-wadheras-direct-hit-secures-victory-for-mumbai-indians-in-ipl-2023 |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=True Scoop News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Mumbai Indians' Debutant Nehal Wadhera Hits Ball Out Of M Chinnaswamy Stadium |url=https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/nehal-wadhera-hits-ball-out-of-m-chinnaswamy-stadium-in-rcb-vs-mi-ipl-2023-clash-video-goes-viral-watch-2590673.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Zee News |language=en}} He started playing cricket under the guidance of his childhood coach Charanjit Bhangu. He was coached by Harjinder Singh in age level cricket, who saw "glimpses of Yuvraj" on him.{{Cite news |date= |title=Left is right for Nehal Wadhera |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/left-is-right-for-nehal-wadhera/articleshow/65739499.cms |access-date=2023-04-20 |issn=}} He received his coaching at the Ludhiana District Cricket Association, and was graduated from Satish Chander Dhawan Government College.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-24 |title=Ludhiana lad Nehal picked up by Mumbai Indians |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/ludhiana-lad-nehal-picked-up-by-mumbai-indians-101671906064019.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
Youth career
He played for Punjab under-16 and under-19 cricket teams in Vijay Merchant Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy from 2015 to 2018, with 529 runs in the 2017–18 season.{{Cite web |last= |date= |title=Who Is Mumbai Indians Starlet Nehal Wadhera, The U23 Quintuple Centurion Who Blasted An Out-Of-Stadium Six On IPL Debut? |url=https://www.wisden.com/series/indian-premier-league-2023/cricket-news/nehal-wadhera-mumbai-indians-player-debut-six-punjab-yuvraj-singh |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=Wisden |language=en-GB}} He was then selected to play for different tiers of India under-19 cricket team.{{Cite web |title=Ludhiana Cricketer Nehal Wadhera To Captain India "A" U-19 Cricket Team |url=http://www.5dariyanews.com/news/260466-Ludhiana-Cricketer-Nehal-Wadhera-To-Captain-India-%E2%80%9CA%E2%80%9D-U-19-Cricket-Team |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=5 Dariya News}} He made his under-19 debut for India on 17 July 2018, against Sri Lanka in a four-day match and scored 82 runs.{{Cite news |date= |title=Ludhiana lad debuts international cricket with a smashing six |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/city-lad-debuts-international-cricket-with-a-smashing-six/articleshow/65046476.cms |access-date=20 April 2023 |issn=}} He also became the third cricketer from Ludhiana to play for India at any level.{{Cite web |title=Nehal Wadhera 3rd Cricketer From Ludhiana To Play At International Level |url=http://www.5dariyanews.com/news/232520-Nehal-Wadhera-3rd-Cricketer-From-Ludhiana-To-Play-At-International-Level |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=5 Dariya News}} In August 2018, he was named in India's squad for the 2016 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup.{{Cite news |date= |title=Prab Simran Singh makes it to India U-19 Asia Cup squad |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/prab-simran-singh-makes-it-to-india-u-19-asia-cup-squad/articleshow/65584535.cms#:~:text=India%20U-19%20Squad%20for,,%20Sameer%20Choudhary,%20Rajesh%20Mohanty. |access-date=2023-04-20 |issn=}}
In April 2022, during the semi-final of Inter-District U-23 Cricket Championship, he smashed 578 runs in an innings, surpassing Brian Lara's record of highest score in an innings in a four-day match.{{Cite web |title=Nehal Wadhera sets new record, smashes 578 runs |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/nehal-wadhera-sets-new-record-smashes-578-runs-390094 |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=Tribute India}} He also became the fastest player to reach 200, 300, 400 and 500 runs in any level of recognized cricket, and was honoured by Junior Chamber International for his record.{{Cite web |title=JCI honours Nehal for creating Cricket's World Record of 578 runs |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/jci-honours-nehal-for-creating-crickets-world-record-of-578-runs20220506171621/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=ANI News |language=en}}
Domestic career
In December 2020, Wadhera was named in Punjab's squad for the 2020–21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.{{Cite web |title=Yuvraj Singh named in Punjab's 30-man probables' list for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/yuvraj-singh-named-in-punjab-s-30-man-longlist-for-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-1243988 |access-date=2023-04-20 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In December 2022, he was bought by the Mumbai Indians at a price of ₹20 lakh, to play for them in the Indian Premier League.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Nehal Wadhera - All you need to know about MI's young sensation |url=https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/who-is-nehal-wadhera-all-you-need-to-know-about-mis-young-sensation/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=CricTracker |language=en}} He became the third player from Ludhiana district to get IPL call-up.{{Cite web |title=Nehal makes it to IPL, 3rd player from district |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/nehal-makes-it-to-ipl-3rd-player-from-district-464330 |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=Tribute India}}
In January 2023, he was selected to play for Punjab in the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |title=Ranji Trophy 2022-23: Full squads, Fixtures & Preview: All you need to know |url=https://www.cricketworld.com/ranji-trophy-2022-23-full-squads-fixtures-preview-all-you-need-to-know/83913.htm |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Cricket World}} He made his first-class debut for Punjab on 3 January 2023, against Gujarat.{{Cite web |title=3–5 January 2023, Punjab vs Gujarat, 2022/23 Ranji Trophy |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ranji-trophy-2022-23-1332913/gujarat-vs-punjab-elite-group-d-1333262/full-scorecard |access-date=2023-04-20 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He made a match-winning century in his debut match, scoring 123 runs guiding Punjab to a 380-run victory.{{Cite web |title=Nehal Wadhera, the run-machine who once scored 578 runs in an innings |url=https://www.cricket.com/news/nehal-wadhera-the-run-machine-who-once-scored-578-runs-in-an-innings-422023-1680449185662 |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Cricket.com}} He struck his maiden double hundred in his just third first-class game,{{Cite web |last= |last2= |first2= |date= |title=Wadhera's double century, Desai's 6-fer highlights Day 2 of Ranji Trophy Round-6 |url=https://cricket.one/news/news-details/63c7f27fadcb59b16fc69d43/wadhera-s-double-century-desai-s-6-fer-highlights-day-2-of-ranji-trophy-round-6 |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=OneCricket |language=en}} scoring 214 runs against Madhya Pradesh on 18 January 2023.{{Cite web |date= |title=Ranji Trophy: Nehal’s double-ton puts Punjab in commanding position against MP |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/ranji-trophy-nehal-s-double-ton-puts-punjab-in-commanding-position-against-mp-101674071168506.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} He won the player of the match award,{{Cite web |date= |title=Who is Nehal Wadhera, the latest IPL debutant for Mumbai Indians? |url=https://cricxtasy.com/indian-premier-league-ipl/nehal-wadhera-young-sensation-rcb-vs-mi-ipl-2023/cid10463240.htm |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Cricxtasy |language=en}} and finished his maiden first-class season with 376 runs from seven innings.{{Cite web |date= |title=MI Star Tracker - Ranji Trophy 2022-23 |url=https://www.mumbaiindians.com/news/mi-star-tracker-ranji-trophy-2022-23 |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Mumbai Indians |language=en}}
He made his Twenty20 debut for Mumbai Indians on 2 April 2023, against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2023 Indian Premier League.{{Cite web |title=2 April 2023, Mumbai Indians vs RCB, 2023 Indian Premier League |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2023-1345038/royal-challengers-bangalore-vs-mumbai-indians-5th-match-1359479/full-scorecard |access-date=2023-04-20 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He impressed on his debut match,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Nehal Wadhera, the Mumbai Indians batter who impressed on IPL debut |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-news/nehal-wadhera-stats-mumbai-indians-debut-tilak-varma-ipl-2023-rcb-vs-mi/article66692396.ece |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=The Hindu |language=en}} scoring a quick fire 21 runs off 13 balls including two sixes.{{Cite web |title=RCB vs MI, Indian Premier League 2023, 5th Match at Bengaluru, April 02, 2023 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2023-1345038/royal-challengers-bangalore-vs-mumbai-indians-5th-match-1359479/full-scorecard |access-date=2023-10-23 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} On 6 May 2023, he scored his maiden IPL half-century against the Chennai Super Kings.{{Cite web |last= |date= |title=IPL 2023: Nehal Wadhera posts maiden fifty, spells by Deshpande, Pathirana help CSK restrict MI to 139/8 |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2023/05/ipl-2023-nehal-wadhera-posts-maiden-fifty-spells-by-deshpande-pathirana-help-csk-restrict-mi-to-139-8/,%20https://thenewsmill.com/2023/05/ipl-2023-nehal-wadhera-posts-maiden-fifty-spells-by-deshpande-pathirana-help-csk-restrict-mi-to-139-8/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=The News Mill |language=en-US}} He scored 241 runs from 14 innings in that IPL season.{{Cite web |date= |title=Nehal Wadhera - The rise, and the rise of the new ‘Prince of Ludhiana’ |url=https://www.mumbaiindians.com/news/nehal-wadhera-new-prince-of-ludhiana-mumbai-indians |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Mumbai Indians |language=en}} In June 2023, he was replaced by Jayant Yadav, to play for North Zone in the 2023 Duleep Trophy.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Duleep Trophy: Injured Mandeep out, Jayant Yadav to lead North Zone; Wadhera named replacement |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/duleep-trophy-mandeep-singh-out-injured-north-zone-new-captain-jayant-yadav-nehal-wadhera/article66997586.ece |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=The Hindu |language=en}} He made his List A debut for Punjab on 23 November 2023, against Baroda in the 2023–24 Vijay Hazare Trophy.{{Cite web |title=BRODA vs PNJB, Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023/24, Group E at Thana, November 23, 2023 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/vijay-hazare-trophy-2023-24-1383412/baroda-vs-punjab-group-e-1383584/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}
International career
In July 2023, he was named in India A's squad as a standby player for the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.{{cite web |title=India A squad for ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 announced |url=https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2023/news/55556012/india-a-squad-for-acc-men-s-emerging-teams-asia-cup-2023-announced?type=Latest |access-date=4 July 2023 |work=Board of Control for Cricket in India}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cricinfo|id=1151273}}
{{Punjab Kings squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wadhera, Nehal}}
Category:21st-century Indian sportsmen
Category:Punjab, India cricketers
Category:Mumbai Indians cricketers