IPL 2023 | Nehal Wadhera Opens up on Comparisons With Yuvraj Singh

image-lh3jzf8bNehal Wadhera in action against RCB (IPLT20.COM)

Nehal Wadhera shot to limelight with his 21-ball 40 against defending champions Gujarat Titans last week. The youngster, who made his IPL debut this year for the Mumbai Indians franchise, also listed a rapid 21 against RCB in his debut innings earlier in the tournament.

Wadhera was picked up by the franchise on the basis of some prolific outings in domestic cricket for Punjab. Notably, he has often been compared with an all-time Indian legend, Yuvraj Singh, for his attacking batting style and aggressive approach.

Ahead of Mumbai Indians’ home clash against Rajasthan Royals in match number 42 of the ongoing IPL 2023 season, the 22-year-old was asked about the aspects he would like to emulate from Singh while going forward in his career.

“I adore Yuvraj Singh a lot…” says Nehal Wadhera

In his first four IPL 2023 innings for the Mumbai Indians, Wadhera has scored 67 runs while batting down the order, at a strike-rate of above 171. He top-scored for his side in their big defeat against Gujarat Titans, listing a 21-ball 40 without much assistance from the other end.

Ahead of Mumbai Indians’ home game against the Rajasthan Royals, the Punjab-based cricketer was asked about being compared with Yuvraj Singh, and what would he actually like to emulate from the legendary all-rounder.

Wadhera said that much like him, Yuvraj is also from Punjab who bats left-handed. He claimed that the former cricketer often visits Punjab’s Ranji Trophy training camps to provide advice for the youngsters. He said:

“Yuvraj Singh is also from Punjab, and he is a left-handed batsman like me. I adore him a lot, I tried to copy the way he bats. Even my style of playing is attacking, and even he used to play the attacking way during his batting days. 

Obviously, he is known for hitting big sixes, something which I could not do yet but hopefully I will get there. When I play for Punjab in Ranji Trophy, we have camps there and he comes and guides us all and its fun being around him.”

Wadhera made his first-class debut for Punjab this year itself, with a crucial Ranji Trophy fixture against Gujarat. He whacked 123 in his maiden innings, and scored a double ton a couple of matches later, both in a winning cause for his side.