Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan received a grand welcome upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Friday. A massive crowd of enthusiastic supporters greeted the cricketer as he stepped out of the VIP terminal, sporting the traditional Nepali ‘Dhaka Topi,’ symbolizing his appreciation for local culture.
Dhawan decided to join the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and represent the Karnali Yaks shortly after his IPL franchise, Punjab Kings, released him. The seasoned opener, who has had a stellar IPL career, surprisingly found no takers at the recent mega auction.
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Fans of Dhawan and the NPL gathered in large numbers, celebrating his arrival with vibrant music and energetic dances. Amid the festive atmosphere, Dhawan was spotted waving to his fans from a car arranged to transport him to his hotel, where he joined his teammates.
Fans welcoming Shikhar Dhawan at the airport in Kathmandu Nepal💙💙 pic.twitter.com/dDq7wbON6A
— Pratik (@PratikLampard88) November 29, 2024
Expressing his enthusiasm for his debut in the Nepal Premier League, Dhawan shared his excitement about both cricket and exploring Nepal’s iconic landmarks. “This is my first visit to Nepal, and I’m thrilled to play for Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League. I look forward to teaming up with local and national players to put on a great show. Besides cricket, I hope to visit the Pashupatinath Temple and Mount Everest, which are renowned worldwide,” Shikhar Dhawan said during an interaction with ANI.
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The league, commencing on November 30, will feature prominent international and domestic stars, including Ben Cutting, Unmukt Chand, Ravi Bopara, Chadwick Walton, and Marchant de Lange. All matches will be held at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Dhawan’s presence has added a significant buzz to the tournament, raising expectations for exciting cricketing action in Nepal.
