WATCH: Nepal batter unfurls Kohli-like inside out lofted drive for six
Nepal Batter Kushal Bhurtel is touted as the next big thing in their national side, and the 24-year-old’s recent performances only vindicate that belief. The stylish right-handed batsman has an array of shots in his cabinet and has been playing some outrageous knocks for Nepal in recent times. He averages close to 70 in T20s, although the sample size is quite less for it to have a lot of significance, he looks a real deal.
In the game against the USA in an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 game, Kushal Bhurtel unleashed his wings and played a blinder of a knock. Chasing 231 runs, the young opener put pressure right from the outset and denied the USA any breathing space. He chipped in with a man-of-the-match contribution, scoring 84 off 93 balls. Rohit Paudel and Binod Bhandari helped Nepal finish the run chase after the young Nepal batter missed out on his century when he was dismissed by Nisarg Patel.
Bhurtel has a stylish approach to his game, and some of his shots were reminiscent of some of the classiest batters the game has witnessed. A lofted shot he played during the game over covers with a straight bat, went all the way into the stands and made the commentators go gaga about the skill involved in that shot. The ease with which he played that shot made people draw parallels to the way Virat Kohli does it in limited-overs cricket.
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Here’s a video of that shot he played, off Steven Taylor.
Magic. It's Kushal Bhurtel's world. We all are living in it.pic.twitter.com/DijqHjxWup
— RR Shah (@momocricket) September 14, 2021
Will this Nepal batter make it to the IPL?
The IPL is beginning to broaden its horizons, with Royal Challengers recently signing Singaporean Tim Davids. Nepal have had their representation before in this tournament, with Sandeep Lamichhane donning the Delhi Capitals’ jersey. With the hype surrounding this Nepal batter right now, it would come as no surprise if an IPL side grabs him up in the coming two seasons.
The 24-year-old must keep up the good form and try to prove himself in some other T20 leagues. If he can do so, IPL sides will definitely monitor the possibility of having him in their squads.