Australian cricket star David Warner is set to bring his international and franchise-cricket experience to Nepal after joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas for the third season of the Nepal Premier League.

The franchise officially announced Warner as its latest overseas signing on Tuesday, September 15, ending days of speculation surrounding the identity of a major international player it had been teasing on social media. Warner also appeared in a video message confirming his participation.

The signing represents one of the biggest international additions to the NPL since the league began.

Warner confirmed as Kathmandu’s foreign signing

Warner said in his video message that he was excited about travelling to Nepal and joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas. He also acknowledged the difficult period Nepal has been experiencing following the recent floods and expressed hope that the NPL could provide supporters with an opportunity to come together through cricket.

The announcement followed a series of clues released by the Gorkhas.

The franchise first posted images connected with major World Cup trophies before revealing a clue involving the number 31—the number associated with Warner during his international career. The sequence ultimately led to Tuesday’s confirmation.

A major name for Nepal’s franchise cricket

Warner arrives in Nepal with one of the most decorated careers of the modern era.

The left-handed opener represented Australia in 112 Tests, 161 ODIs and 110 T20 internationals, accumulating nearly 19,000 international runs and 49 international centuries, according to the Kathmandu Post.

He was part of Australia’s 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup-winning teams and the side that won the 2021 T20 World Cup. He was also part of Australia’s World Test Championship-winning campaign in the 2021–23 cycle.

His record in franchise cricket is equally significant.

Warner was the leading run-scorer in three Indian Premier League seasons—2015, 2017 and 2019—and played a central role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2016 title-winning campaign, when he captained the side.

Kathmandu Gorkhas add another international attraction

Warner will join a Kathmandu Gorkhas overseas group that also includes Sri Lankan all-rounder Sahan Arachchige and Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat, according to Nepal News.

The signing comes as the Gorkhas look to strengthen their squad after being eliminated by Lumbini Lions in the Eliminator during the previous NPL season.

Karan KC remains the franchise’s marquee domestic player, while the team is coached by Monty Desai.

Kathmandu Gorkhas executive director Anubhab Swar Sirohiya said the Warner deal had taken months of discussions and described the signing as an opportunity to increase international attention on Nepali cricket.

NPL enters a new phase

Warner’s arrival adds to a growing list of internationally recognised players associated with the third NPL season.

The league has increasingly used overseas players to raise its competitive level and international profile. Earlier signings for Season 3 have included players such as Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham.

The presence of established international players can also give Nepali cricketers an opportunity to train and compete alongside athletes with extensive experience in major global leagues.

For younger Nepali players, access to such experience could be valuable beyond the matches themselves.

Season 3 begins in October

The third season of the Nepal Premier League is scheduled to begin on October 26, with the final set for November 21.

The Cricket Association of Nepal has indicated that TU International Cricket Ground is likely to remain the tournament’s sole venue for the third consecutive season.

That means Nepali supporters could soon see Warner playing competitive cricket at the same ground that has become the centre of the country's domestic and international cricket activities.

More than a marquee signing

Warner’s arrival is significant not simply because of his reputation.

The NPL is still a young franchise competition seeking to establish itself among the growing number of T20 leagues around the world. Bringing in a player with Warner’s international achievements and extensive franchise experience gives the tournament an opportunity to attract additional attention from cricket audiences outside Nepal.

For Kathmandu Gorkhas, meanwhile, the signing provides both a major marketing boost and an experienced batter for a squad aiming to improve on its previous campaign.

The real test will come once the competition begins.

Warner's name can generate excitement, but the Gorkhas will ultimately need performances from their entire squad if they are to turn one of the NPL’s biggest signings into a successful season.

For Nepali cricket fans, however, one thing is already certain: David Warner is coming to Kathmandu.