David Warner joins Kathmandu Gorkhas for Nepal Premier League 2026

David Warner has been confirmed as a foreign signing for Kathmandu Gorkhas ahead of Nepal Premier League Season 3. The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, through a video message shared on the franchise's social media.

The 39-year-old Australian left-hander joins Sri Lanka's Sahan Arachchige and India's KS Bharat on the Kathmandu Gorkhas international roster for the tournament, which is scheduled to run from October 26 to November 21, 2026.

Kathmandu Gorkhas had been building anticipation for the announcement over the preceding days. On September 12, the franchise posted a photograph featuring two trophies representing the ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup. On September 14, they uploaded an image of a necklace bearing the number 31, which is Warner's jersey number, before confirming the signing the following day.

"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. 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," Warner said in a video released by Gorkhas.

"Three cities, one soul, one team and one dream. Ayo Gorkhali," Warner concluded.

What does Warner bring to the Kathmandu Gorkhas?

Warner is one of the most decorated batters in Australian cricket history. Across 112 Tests, 161 ODIs and 110 T20Is for Australia, he has accumulated approximately 19,000 international runs and 49 centuries, comprising 26 in Tests, 22 in ODIs and one in T20Is.

Among his most notable individual performances is a score of 335 not out against Pakistan at Adelaide in 2019, the second-highest score by an Australian batter in Test cricket. Warner is a two-time ODI World Cup winner, having been part of the Australian squads that lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2023. He also won the T20 World Cup in 2021 and was part of the World Test Championship-winning side in the 2021-23 cycle. He was named Player of the Series at the 2011 T20 World Cup.

In franchise cricket, Warner has been among the most consistent performers in the Indian Premier League. He was the highest run scorer in the IPL in 2015, 2017 and 2019, and has scored 500 or more runs in seven IPL seasons. He also captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL title in 2016.

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What did the Kathmandu Gorkhas say about the signing?

Anubhab Swar Sirohiya, executive director of Kathmandu Gorkhas, explained that securing Warner's signature was a prolonged process.

"Bringing David Warner to the Kathmandu Gorkhas was not something that happened overnight. It took months of conversations, persistence and belief from everyone involved. There were many moments when it felt difficult, but the possibility of seeing a player of his stature represent Kathmandu and play at the TU Cricket Ground made every effort worthwhile," he noted.

"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," he added.