Top three young players to watch in the NPL auction

The first edition of the Nepal Premier League showed exactly how the tournament can serve as a springboard for young cricketers. Sharing the field with seasoned national and international names, fresh talent like Naren Saud — who picked up a five-wicket haul on debut for Sudurpaschim Royals — and Bipin Sharma — scouted through a talent hunt and later retained by Karnali Yaks after becoming their top wicket-taker — proved the league’s potential.

With a new wave of emerging players ready to make their mark, franchises will be keeping a close eye on recent performances in domestic and age-level tournaments. Based on performances over the last six months, here are three young names likely to attract serious attention in the upcoming NPL auction.

1. Yuvraj Khatri

Yuvraj Khatri is the player who might be on every franchise's watchlist, leaving out Biratnagar Kings, who already have experienced leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane as their marquee.

Yuvraj first made headlines during the 2024 Youth Asia Cup in the UAE, especially in the match against Bangladesh, where he picked up four wickets and celebrated with such intensity that he injured himself and had to miss the following league game against Afghanistan.

He followed that up with another standout performance for Nepal U19 in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifier, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with nine wickets in three matches, including a five-wicket haul and another four-wicket performance.

His consistency earned him a spot in Nepal Blue during the core camp, where he again impressed with nine wickets from five innings, including yet another four-wicket spell. That performance led to a call-up for the second phase of the core camp ahead of the Scotland tour.

Despite limited T20 experience, Yuvraj has been named in Nepal’s senior T20 camp for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia/EAP Qualifier, a clear vote of confidence in his adaptability to the shortest format.

At just 17, Yuvraj offers a rare blend of control and potential that franchises would want to nurture, not just for now, but for the long haul.

2. Santosh Yadav

Santosh Yadav might not be the most talked-about name, but his performances speak volumes. A genuine all-rounder, Santosh has been quietly but consistently building a strong case for himself.

His rise began during the Naresh Shrestha Memorial U19 Men’s National Tournament in Biratnagar. Representing Lumbini Province U19, he batted at the top order and scored 181 runs across seven innings, including a fifty. More impressively, his left-arm spin accounted for 27 wickets — the most in the tournament.

Since then, Santosh has featured in two U19 tournaments for Nepal and played two Youth ODI series at home against Hong Kong and Afghanistan. In the Youth Asia Cup in Dubai, he was Nepal’s leading wicket-taker with seven wickets.

His batting also made headlines during the YODI series against Hong Kong, where he struck back-to-back fifties at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.

With his left-arm spin and reliable batting in the top order, Santosh brings a balance that could be vital in a T20 setup. His all-around credentials make him a strong contender for a spot in any franchise squad.

3. Raunak Shrivastav

The youngest among the trio, Raunak Shrivastav is already being tipped as a future star. His name has been buzzing ever since the U16 Nationals in Surkhet, followed by a dominant display at the ACC Men’s U16 East Zone Cup in Malaysia.

It was his record-breaking 217 for Lumbini Province U16 against Gandaki Province U16 in the TB Shah Memorial Cup that truly turned heads. In doing so, he became only the second Nepali player to score a double century in domestic cricket, joining Mehboob Alam, who achieved the feat in 2003.

Raunak continued his form in Malaysia, where he was named both Player of the Tournament and Best Batter at the East Zone Cup. His 296 runs included a blistering 168 off 132 balls against Bhutan U16 — the highest score ever by a Nepali batter in an international match.

While still very young, Raunak’s hunger for runs and ability to perform on big stages mark him as a special talent. Franchises may see him as a long-term investment, someone worth grooming for the years to come.