Former Australian opener David Warner has signed with Kathmandu Gorkhas for Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. The marquee signing adds one of cricket's most decorated franchise players to the Nepali league, marking a significant milestone in the growth of cricket in Nepal.

Warner's Message to Nepal

In a video address posted by the franchise, Warner expressed his enthusiasm for the move. '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,' he said.

Warner concluded his address on a rallying note: 'Three cities, one soul, one team and one dream. Ayo Gorkhali!' — drawing an enthusiastic response from the franchise's fanbase, referred to as the '12th Warriors'.

Warner's Franchise Cricket Credentials

The Kathmandu Gorkhas hailed Warner's arrival by listing his career honours, calling him a 'Two-time ICC Men's Cricket World Cup champion, T20 World Cup champion and Player of the Tournament, World Test Championship winner, Triple centurion, and the only player to win three IPL Orange Caps.'

Warner's IPL record speaks for itself. He is the highest-scoring overseas player in the Indian Premier League's history, having accumulated 6,565 runs in 184 matches — making him one of only four players to cross 6,000 IPL runs across the tournament's 19-year history. He lifted the IPL title in 2016 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad and also represented the Delhi Capitals. He was, however, not picked in the IPL 2025 mega auction and did not register for the 2026 edition.

Despite the IPL chapter closing, Warner has remained a sought-after name on the global T20 circuit, recently featuring in the BBL 2025/26 and the PSL 2026.

What the Signing Means for Nepali Cricket

Anubhab Swar Sirohiya, Executive Director of Kathmandu Gorkhas, described the signing as a deeply personal and protracted effort. 'Bringing David Warner to the Kathmandu Gorkhas was not something that happened overnight. It took months of conversations, persistence and belief from everyone involved,' he said.

Sirohiya framed the move in broader terms for Nepali cricket: '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.'

Warner is set to play at the TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, with the franchise noting that the prospect of a player of his stature competing on home soil made every negotiating hurdle worthwhile.

Significance for the Nepal Premier League

The NPL has been steadily attracting international talent, but the Warner acquisition marks its most high-profile signing to date. It comes at a moment when Nepal cricket is pushing for greater global visibility, and having a former Australian Test opener and multi-format World Cup winner on the roster could meaningfully raise the league's broadcast and sponsorship profile. This is the third season of the NPL, and the trajectory suggests that Associate cricket nations are increasingly capable of drawing elite franchise players beyond their prime international years.

Warner's arrival in the Kathmandu Valley will be closely watched as a bellwether for how smaller cricket boards can use franchise leagues to fast-track their sport's development.