May 17, 2026

Nishant Sindhu has arrived perhaps a little late to the Biggest stage of Domestic cricket- 4 years after waiting, watching and working silently. Background 18-year-old Abhishek Sharma was handed his IPL cap by the Gujarat Titans ahead of Match 46 with the Punjab Kings at Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 3,2026 during IPL season 2026. Approaching the promised land, the debut had taken a while — but given that he has been on the radar since his early teens, it was good news for devoted fans who followed his path. The Pathway from Domestic Dominance Nishant Sindhu is April 9, 2004 born left handed batter and slow left arm orthodox bowler from Rohtak Haryana creating a real two-dimensional all-rounder. However, his rise has been gradual and one to marvel. He caught the eye in the 2018–19 U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, where he scored a total of 572 runs and took 23 wickets, leading Haryana to victory with his all-round performance. But that was no flash-in-the-pan performance. Sindhu added to his growing reputation as an integral part of the India team that clinched victory at the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2022, snaring six scalps in five matches and even making a half-century. He was on the radar of IPL franchises because this was a campaign that put him on the national map. Second Season CSK Benches, GT Breakthrough After his success at the U-19 World Cup, he was signed by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 mega auction and spent two seasons with the five-time champions. Although he did not play, it was a valuable experience. Took priceless lessons, about mental toughness and game awareness from braver men, MSA & Jadoogadu and lesser things like the finishing spree that only best teach. His journey took a turn in 2025. At the 2025 Mega Auction, Gujarat Titans bought him at INR 30 lakh and retained was him ahead of IPL 2026 – an obvious indication that Sindhu is part of a long-term plan for the franchise. The Debut Against Punjab Kings Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill at the toss said when asked about Sindhu joining: “I think it’s all about peaking at the right time, and I believe we are yet to play our best game. Nishant Sindhu makes his debut.” A defining moment that signaled an end to a long wait by the fan as well of many others and hopefully, the dawn of what everyone seems destined to be an awesome IPL career. Sindhu has now appeared in 2 IPL matches scoring a mere total of 15 runs with his best score being the same,15. In his IPL career so far, he has also taken 2 catches. Leaning on Shubman Gill Since making his debut in the interview post, Sindhu said how he absorbs a lot by being around people. Described for his composure and learning from senior players — in particular current captain Shubman Gill, Nishant is still a work in progress but aspires to be a capable and versatile all-rounder at the top level of T20 cricket. Impressive Domestic Numbers Sindhu is not a young man but his first class record says everything. He has made 2,030 runs from 34 first-class matches at an average of 36.90 including six centuries, while also taking 82 wickets at an average of 25.73. He has also made 812 runs and taken 52 wickets in List A cricket. These are figures that tell more than talent; they tell consistency — the mark of a cricketer made for the long haul. What Lies Ahead Nishant Sindhu is only 22 and at the start of what looks to be a long and illustrious career. The young allrounder from Haryana will now be playing with Gujarat Titans behind him, senior mentors pointing the way forward and a hunger built on years of waiting — it looks like he is ready to make every opportunity count in IPL 2026 and beyond. Resultantly, cricket fans across India will be taking notice.

Nepal defeated the United States of America in comfortable fashion, beating them by 9 wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday (Match 105/106, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2), showing how dominant they can be on home soil. It was convincing, dominating and — for a Nepal side facing the proverbial exit door — extremely important. USA Bowled Out for 195 The USA were dismissed for a lowly 195, and Nepal chased that down with ease, finishing at 199 for one from just 36.4 overs — still with 80 balls to spare. The USA had won the toss and opted to bat first at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. That was a decision they would soon come to regret. Nepal’s disciplined bowling unit led by Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee upfront met the stern challenge posed by an American batting line-up, on a surface that incentivised their spinners. Outlook India Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane is the highest wicket taker in the ICC CWC League 2, having taken 35 scalps while Dipendra Singh Airee has been Nepal’s leading run scorer in the tournament, scoring a total of 675 runs. Kushal Bhurtel: The Match-Winner The pursuit, which was basically a one-horse race. Kushal Bhurtel Player of Match Kushal Bhurtel’s 120* off just 118 balls was scintillating as he anchored the run chase throughout and kept the USA bowlers at bay right from the start. His century without loss was a compelling exhibition of powerful shuffle-and-brilo batting tempered with clever cricket to guarantee that Nepal cruised the finish line, with overs and wickets remaining on both fronts. Tournament Context: Nepal Fighting Back The victory comes at an important juncture for both teams. The USA came into the match sitting second in the standings with 18 wins from 25 games and needed another win to get back to first place. Nepal, in seventh place and needing points to maintain their ODI-status hopes were also under pressure. Outlook India Milind Kumar has scored the most runs from USA in ICC CWC League 2, he scored1,020 runs and as far as wickets are concerned Saurabh Netravalkar is the highest wicket-taker for them with 37 wickets. Still, those individual performances aside the team failed to come alive on the day. Cricket World USA’s loss to Scotland in their preceding game by 2 runs (DLS method) must have compounded the heart-break, especially after Smit Patel made 72 off 56 balls and Saiteja Mukkamalla scored a century – 104 runs of just 75 deliveries but with the lower order crumbling when it mattered most. Nepal’s Home Fortress Holds What makes all the difference for Nepal is their favourite-piece ground of Kirtipur and a vocal home crowd who take every opportunity to lift the spirits of the ‘Rhinos’ – as they’re called. That crowd came out in full force and were not disappointed with a dominant, confidence-boosting display. latestly All matches were officiated by on-field umpires Durga Subedi and Faisal Afridi along with Match Referee Narayanan Kutty.