Former India Test wicketkeeper-batter Kona Srikar Bharat has signed with the Kathmandu Gurkhas for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League. The franchise made the official announcement that the 32-year-old their first overseas recruit of the season. The T20 tournament is set to take place in Kathmandu later this year, with the competition window expected to run 26 October to 21 November. Bharat brings wicket-keeping, middle-order batting, and experience from both Indian domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. After announcing retirement from the Indian national setup earlier in 2026 he is looking to stay active in competitive franchise cricket, and the Gurkhas have picked him as a good addition who can strengthen both their keeping options and batting depth.
Bharat has previously played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, and was a member of the 2024 title-winning Kolkata Knight Riders side. Across T20 cricket he has scored 1812 runs in 91 matches. In early June 2026, he announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 32. In a heartfelt social-media message he described representing India as the greatest honour of his life and thanked his family, former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid, the BCCI, and the Andhra Cricket Association.
KS Bharat's record in domestic and international circuit
In seven Test matches he scored 221 runs at an average of 20.09 with a highest score of 44 along with 18 catches and one stumping. In first-class cricket he played 113 matches and scored 6112 runs at an average of 36.5, including 11 centuries and more than 30 half-centuries with a highest score of 308. In List A cricket he scored 2692 runs in about 82 matches at an average above 36 with eight centuries, and in T20s he scored more than 1812 runs in 91 matches at a strike rate close to 119 with 11 half-centuries.
Bharat holds the record of being the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a triple century in the Ranji Trophy when he scored unbeaten 308 for Andhra against Goa in the 2014-15 season. He made his Test debut for India in 2023 against Australia. Under BCCI rules, players generally need to retire from the Indian domestic circuit to take part in overseas franchise leagues. Bharat’s decision opened the door for opportunities such as the Nepal Premier League while allowing him to continue playing competitive cricket. He is also looking to qualify as a UAE citizen and represent them in future.
