Punjab Kings buy city lad Nehal Wadhera for Rs 4.2cr

City cricketer Nehal Wadhera took a big leap towards success in his IPL career, as the stylish left-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm leg-spin bowler was bought by the Punjab Kings on the second and final day of the IPL Auction...

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, Updated At : 05:58 AM Nov 26, 2024 IST

Nehal Wadhera

After playing for the Mumbai Indians for two years at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, Nehal, who had a base price of Rs 30 lakh this year, was roped in by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a whopping Rs 4.20 crore for the upcoming IPL season.

This significant investment in Wadhera underscores the PBKS’ confidence in his abilities and potential to deliver outstanding performance. The notable salary increase from his previous stint with the Mumbai Indians suggests that he could become a cornerstone for his new team’s success.

Nehal (24), a graduate from the Satish Chander Dhawan Government College, Ludhiana, has been a consistent performer. He represented Punjab for two years in the U-14 and U-16 categories in addition to being a member of the U-19 team.

For his consistent performance, Nehal was selected for the Indian U-19 team for the Sri Lanka tour in 2019. The same year, he played for Team India (U-19) in the triangular series at Trivandrum.

Two years ago, Nehal set a new record, smashing 578 runs in a match against Bathinda during the Inter-District U-23 Cricket Championship. This score of that magnitude was unheard of in the long history of cricket in the world. He was felicitated by the Punjab Cricket Association with a cash prize of Rs 51,000 for his stupendous achievement.

As Nehal joins the PBKS, expectations are high, and fans are eagerly waiting to see him in action. His performance will be crucial in shaping the team’s fortunes in the next season.

Speaking to The Tribune, Nehal said he was excited at being selected for his home team. “I was looking for a chance to play for a team where I could play a major role. PBKS has shown faith in me, and I am eager to repay that trust by steering the team to new heights,” said Nehal.