He was part of the India A squad in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025.
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) are off to a winning start in the IPL 2026 and will next take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an away fixture tonight. But among the squad, which is keen to go that extra step this season to get their hands on the elusive trophy, there is a 25-year-old, sharpening his spin-bowling skills to play an even bigger role for the side.
That’s the left-hand batter, Nehal Wadhera. He believes honing his spin skills not only provides him more opportunity to contribute to PBKS’ success but could also bolster his chances to enter the national team. But Wadhera has bowled only 26.4 overs in 95 domestic matches across formats and 2.5 overs in his 37 IPL appearances so far.
Still, he is regularly putting in the hard yards in the nets, aspiring to play the game as an all-rounder capable of bowling both offspin and legspin. PBKS’ bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has also shown his faith in the player and encouraged him to develop the new skillset.
“My coaches tell me, the way you bowl, we have trust in you. We know that if you get a chance, you will deliver. Sairaj Sir has told me that whenever you get an opportunity, you should chip in with one or two overs. When that goes well, you will be bowling three or four overs in a match,” he said to Cricbuzz.
The batter also acknowledges the fierce competition to break into the Indian team. But thinking about the pressure and uncertainty would only make it difficult for him to fulfill his dream, believes Nehal Wadhera.
“If you have to play for India, you have to make a place for yourself. That competition was there earlier, it’s there now, and it will always be there. If you start worrying about it, then it’ll get difficult,” the youngster added.
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The southpaw also opened up on how rubbing shoulders with some of the star international players helps them to scale greater heights. He shared how following their advice and adapting to different methods have resulted in a more focused mindset and a better understanding of his game.
“When we come to the IPL and see how much international cricketers do to take care of themselves and their cricket, we realise that we are not giving our hundred percent. When you are around these cricketers, you start adopting their ways. I have become more patient, calmed my mind, and understood my game a bit better,” stated the player.
Wadhera had enjoyed his best season so far in the last edition of the league since debuting for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023. He scored 369 runs in 16 fixtures, including two half-centuries. But the batter feels he has not reached his potential yet, especially after getting dismissed for an 18-ball 15 when PBKS needed 55 more runs off the final 3.4 overs to lift their maiden title.
“Last season was my best in the IPL so far, but I haven’t been able to touch my potential just yet. Hopefully, this year,” he concluded.
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