Former RCB Wicket-Keeper Leaves India, Joins Nepal for T20 League

Kathmandu Gorkhas have made a significant move ahead of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), securing an experienced Indian cricketer as their first overseas signing. The player brings international experience and familiarity with high-pressure franchise cricket, giving the Kathmandu-based side a seasoned option for the upcoming campaign.

The signing also marks a fresh chapter for the wicketkeeper-batter, who recently stepped away from internationals and is now set to take his experience beyond Indian cricket. He also becomes the first amongst the Indian players in NPL this season.

KS Bharat Joins Kathmandu Gorkhas In Nepal Premier League

The player in question is KS Bharat, the former India wicketkeeper-batter, who has joined Kathmandu Gorkhas for the upcoming NPL season. The franchise announced Bharat as its first overseas signing, banking on his experience behind the stumps and his years of playing domestic and franchise cricket in India.

Bharat represented India in seven Test matches and has featured in the Indian Premier League for Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, among others. Although his international career was relatively brief, the Andhra wicketkeeper brings plenty of experience to the Kathmandu setup. Hence, it seems to be a clever move by the KS Bharat Nepal Premier League team, Kathmandu Gorkhas.

The 32-year-old retired from international cricket in June 2026, bringing an end to his India career after making his Test debut against Australia in Nagpur in 2023. His move to Nepal, however, shows that Bharat is far from finished with competitive cricket. Also, since he has retired from internationals, it gives him a chance to be eligible for some of the biggest cricket leagues in the world.

KS Bharat's Career And Numbers

While Bharat played only seven Tests for India, his domestic numbers underline the depth of his experience. He scored 221 runs in Test cricket, with a highest score of 44, and was also part of India's playing 11 for the 2023 World Test Championship final.

His strongest numbers, however, have come in first-class cricket. Bharat scored more than 6,000 runs, including 11 centuries and over 30 half-centuries, across a long domestic career, which gave him the tag of one of the best wicketkeepers in India.

One of his most memorable achievements came during the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy, when he smashed 308 against Goa, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a triple century in the competition.

He has also built considerable experience in T20 cricket, featuring in over 90 matches and scoring more than 1,800 runs. Now, after closing one chapter with India, Bharat is ready to begin another in Nepal.