Punjab’s top batter, Nehal Wadhera, has decided to switch to Himachal Pradesh for the upcoming domestic season, aiming to boost the hill state’s cricket team. Wadhera’s move follows limited opportunities with Punjab in the previous season, making him the third guest player from Punjab to join Himachal’s squad alongside Pukhraj Mann and Aryaman Singh. Despite limited appearances last season, Wadhera is recognized as a promising young talent in domestic cricket.
Wadhera, who made his mark with a century on debut in first-class cricket, played a few matches for Punjab in various domestic tournaments last season. With experience in both first-class and T20 cricket, including stints in the Indian Premier League, Wadhera brings a valuable skill set to Himachal Pradesh’s lineup. Himachal Pradesh has also made changes to their coaching staff, appointing Vineet Saxena as head coach and Gagandeep Singh as the bowling coach for the upcoming season.
In addition to Nehal Wadhera, former Himachal Pradesh cricketer Prashant Chopra has returned to his home state after a stint with Uttarakhand. Chopra, who faced challenges in the previous season, will be looking to make a stronger impact this year. Himachal Pradesh is aiming for a better performance after a disappointing 2025-26 season where they struggled to progress in major domestic tournaments, finishing at the bottom of their group in the Ranji Trophy.
