Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 has witnessed a few high-scoring games in the past few weeks. While all cricket fans’ eyes are set on IPL, nearly 1,000 miles away, former Indian Under-19 cricketer Nehal Wadhera smashed 578 runs from 414 deliveries including 42 fours and 37 sixes.
In the scorching heat of Ludhiana, Nehal relied more on boundaries as 370 of his runs came from fours and sixes only. The 21-year-old batter decimated Bathinda bowlers in the semi-final of Under-23 Punjab State Inter-district tournament.
The young southpaw has been often compared to legendary Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh. From stance, to extravagant drives and pushes on the back foot, there is a shade of Yuvraj in the Ludhiana-born youngster.
Records broken
#This is the highest score by a batter at no.3 in any format of the game.
#The number of sixes (37) he hit is the highest by a batter in any format.
# He broke the 66-year-old record for the highest score in the tournament's history.
“I am yet to check whether I made a world record or not, but I am happy with my performance… We are striving hard to win the tournament as my contribution is for the team,” Wadhera told The Indian Express.
Was on IPL radar
Earlier this year, Rajasthan Royals (RR) called him up to the camp for trial. He did not become a part of any franchise’s squad but felt an improvement his game during his interaction with RR coach Kumar Sangakkara.
International debut
Nehal made his international debut in October 2018. Playing red-ball cricket, he scored two half-centuries at no.6. However, his half-centuries were overshadowed by centuries from opener Atharva Taide, Ayush Badoni and double century from Pavan Shah. Also, legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's son Arjun was a part of the side which meant he was under the spotlight more than any other player in the team.
He is only third player from Ludhiana to make his international debut at any level after 1983 World Cup-winner Yashpal Sharma and Gagandeep Singh. Also, he is yet to make his debut for the Punjab team.
