India | Top order Batter
Nehal Wadhera is an Indian cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and an occasional legbreak bowler. He plays for Punjab in domestic and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
| Full Name Nehal Wadhera | Born September 04, 2000, Ludhiana, Punjab | Age 24y 265d |
| Batting Style Left hand Bat | Bowling Style Legbreak | Playing Role Top order Batter |
TEAMS
 Punjab  Punjab Kings  India A |
 India Under-19s  Mumbai Indians |
Nehal Wadhera: The Rising Star of Indian Cricket
Born on September 4, 2000 , in Ludhiana, Punjab, Nehal Wadhera is a left-handed batter and occasional leg-break bowler who has rapidly emerged as a dynamic force in Indian cricket. Standing at 5’9” , his aggressive strokeplay and adaptability across formats have drawn attention, positioning him as a future contender for national selection.
Early Career: Foundation of Excellence
From a young age, Nehal showcased prodigious talent, representing India Under-19 and India A , where he honed his skills against top-tier junior and domestic competition. His early focus on domestic cricket with Punjab laid the groundwork for his professional career, earning recognition for his consistency and flair in limited-overs cricket . Transitioning seamlessly to the T20 format, he made his IPL debut in 2023 for Mumbai Indians (MI), marking his arrival on the big stage.
Domestic Cricket: Consistency in Punjab Colors
Nehal has been a key performer for Punjab in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy , often anchoring the innings with his left-handed aggression . His ability to adapt to different roles—opening or stabilizing the middle order—has made him a reliable asset. He also represents the North Zone in inter-zonal competitions, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile batter .
International Aspirations: Awaiting the National Call-Up
Despite stellar domestic performances, Nehal is yet to break into the senior Indian team . However, his inclusion in India A and Under-19 squads highlights his potential. With the T20 World Cup looming, selectors are keenly watching his IPL exploits, as his strike rate-driven approach could bolster India’s middle-order depth.
Nehal Wadhera – IPL factfile
– Nehal Wadhera’s first-ever T20 appearance was in the IPL. Picked by Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2023, he made his debut against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), impressing straightaway with a 21 off 15 from No. 6.
– MI used him as a floater that season and he gave them good returns. He scored two fifties, one of which helped MI chase down 199 against RCB.
– Wadhera, however, did not make MI’s XI for the first few games in IPL 2024. In his first match of that season, he scored 49 off 24 balls. He played a total of six games that season as MI finished bottom of the table.
– He was released by MI ahead of the mega auction in 2024. Entering at a base price of INR 30 lakh, he had the likes of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) bidding for him, before Punjab Kings (PBKS) landed him for INR 4.20 crore.
Strong Zone: Aggression Meets Responsibility
Nehal’s defining trait is his ability to balance aggression with composure . Unlike reckless hitters, he prioritizes anchoring innings while maintaining a strike rate above 140. This duality allows him to excel as an opener or finisher, thriving in high-pressure chases. His strong wristspin variations add utility, though his primary value lies in batting .
Legacy: A Future Indian Cricket Icon
Though still early in his career, Nehal’s trajectory suggests a bright future. If he sustains his IPL form and breaks into the ODI/T20I setup , he could emulate stars like Suryakumar Yadav , blending aggression with adaptability. His journey from Punjab’s domestic circuit to IPL stardom already serves as inspiration for budding cricketers nationwide.
Nehal Wadhera Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC | 14 | 21 | 1 | 803 | 214 | 40.15 | 1351 | 59.43 | 3 | 1 | 87 | 18 | 11 | 0 |
| List A | 14 | 11 | 1 | 298 | 57 | 29.80 | 338 | 88.16 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| T20s | 50 | 44 | 8 | 972 | 70 | 27.00 | 696 | 139.65 | 0 | 6 | 81 | 50 | 15 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC | 14 | 4 | 66 | 55 | 0 | – | – | – | 5.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| T20s | 50 | 3 | 22 | 22 | 1 | 1/0 | 1/0 | 22.00 | 6.00 | 22.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Nehal Wadhera T20 Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 2 teams | 33 | 28 | 4 | 648 | 70 | 27.00 | 446 | 145.29 | 0 | 4 | 55 | 36 | 11 | 0 |
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 2 teams | 33 | 2 | 17 | 22 | 0 | – | – | – | 7.76 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Nehal Wadhera
FC Matches
Debut
Punjab vs Gujarat at Valsad – January 03 – 05, 2023
Last
Haryana vs Punjab at Rohtak – November 06 – 08, 2024
List A Matches
Debut
Baroda vs Punjab at Thana – November 23, 2023
Last
Maharashtra vs Punjab at Vadodara – January 11, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
MI vs RCB at Bengaluru – April 02, 2023
Last
MI vs PBKS at Jaipur – May 26, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru