Wadhera chasing the cricketer he can be

It's been more than 22 years since Mark Waugh last played competitive cricket, yet Nehal Wadhera still remembers the Australian batter's hand position on the cover drive. As an eight-year-old, he would pause YouTube videos of Waugh, screenshot the drive, and practice emulating it in front of a mirror.

He did the same with Sachin Tendulkar's straight drive. This was his self-taught introduction to cricket—a sport no one else in his academically-focused family played.

Wadhera, now 25, is a cricketer still in the process of becoming. His self-learning has grown more ambitious. He now bowls in the nets, convinced he can serve as an all-rounder who bowls both leg-spin and off-spin at IPL or state level.

This is an optimistic claim for a player who has bowled only 14 overs in first-class cricket and 8 overs across 62 T20s. He believes the skill is rarely called upon. "I always ask to bowl, but our Punjab team is full of bowlers," he says.

He has found support in Punjab Kings bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, who has watched him bowl closely in the nets. "My coaches tell me they trust my bowling. Sairaj sir has said that whenever I get an opportunity, I should chip in with an over or two. If that goes well, chances can grow," Wadhera explains.

It’s notable how much of the discussion revolves around his bowling—a facet that wasn’t the reason Punjab Kings bought him for ₹4.20 crore at auction, nor what secures his place in their star-studded side. Yet, he sees it as the hidden edge that could broaden his prospects.

Wadhera is one of India’s most promising left-handed middle-order batters and a key part of Punjab Kings’ quest for a maiden IPL title. Modern T20 cricket demands a specific skillset to counter spin in the middle overs—particularly leg-spin and left-arm spin. Wadhera excels in this role. Last IPL season, he scored 369 runs at a strike rate of 145.84, outperforming others in similar roles, including Shivam Dube (strike rate 132.22).

Competition for such a role is fierce. Most IPL teams have an Indian left-hander in the middle order for match-up purposes—Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians), Shivam Dube (Chennai Super Kings), Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants), Washington Sundar (Gujarat Giants), Devdutt Padikkal (RCB), Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders). The race for a national team spot is tight.

Wadhera acknowledges the competition but adds, "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, it gets difficult."

To elevate his game, Wadhera is leaving nothing to chance. After last IPL season, he moved to Delhi for better training access, hired a celebrity nutritionist, and lost four kilograms to become a fitter, faster version of himself.

His goal is to become the best possible cricketer across all formats, which means working beyond just batting. "When we see how much international cricketers do to take care of themselves, we realize we aren’t giving our hundred percent," he says. "Some carry their own water. Being around them, you adopt their habits. I’ve started writing journals and doing yoga regularly."

He admits the insecurity of competition drives him to focus on these non-cricket details. "It’s easy to slip, but when you know others are doing it, you try to keep up." The routine has helped: "I’ve become more patient, calmed my mind, and understood my game better."

He knows individual progress must translate into team success. Punjab Kings’ run to the final last year helped him and teammates like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Thakur earn India A opportunities. Now, he aims higher.

He’s also expanding his scoring areas, much like he did with the reverse sweep last season, seeking greater productivity. It’s all part of assembling the cricketer he is becoming—from mimicking Waugh’s hands to filling his journal to asking his captain for the ball.

"Last season was my best in the IPL so far, but I haven’t touched my potential yet," he reflects. Then, with calm determination, he repeats the words that drive his pursuit: "Hopefully, this year."