Leading from the front, in both disciplines
Captains are judged on results, and Karan KC's results are hard to argue with: four wins from five matches, top of the NPL Season 3 points table, a playoff place already secured. But the way he has done it matters too. Karan has not captained from the sidelines. He has bowled in all five matches, batted in four, and produced the match-winning performance of Kathmandu's season so far — 44 off 20 balls and 2 for 35 against Karnali Yaks, which earned him the player-of-the-match award.
He bowls right-arm fast-medium, with the new ball and at the death — the two hardest phases in T20 cricket. His method is accuracy over express pace: a hard length, movement enough to ask questions of the outside edge, and a yorker he has trusted since his early Nepal days. The slower ball and the wide yorker are his death-overs tools, used sparingly rather than on every ball.
With the bat, he is the opposite of a blocker. His 81 runs have come at a strike rate of 147.27, with seven sixes — the most by any Kathmandu batter this season, one more than Rashid Khan's six. His 44 against Karnali came off 20 balls. His 20 against Chitwan came off 7. When Kathmandu need quick runs at the end of an innings, the captain is the man they send in.
Karan KC's NPL 2026 numbers
Batting: 81 runs in four innings, highest score 44, strike rate 147.27. Bowling: 7 wickets in five matches, 111 balls, economy 7.41, one maiden. The tables below are current through Match 20.
| Matches | Runs | Balls | Highest | 4s | 6s | Strike rate | Average | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 81 | 55 | 44 | 4 | 7 | 147.27 | 20.25 | 0 |
| Matches | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Average | Best | Maidens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 18.3 | 137 | 7 | 7.41 | 19.57 | 2/17 | 1 |
The bowling numbers carry a small caveat: an economy rate of 7.41 is the highest among Kathmandu's front-line bowlers, but Karan bowls the hardest overs — the powerplay and the death — where runs are expected. His seven wickets are the most by any Kathmandu bowler this season, and his average of 19.57 is the best among the side's seamers. The batting numbers are cleaner: 81 runs at nearly a run and a half a ball, with more sixes than anyone else in the side.
The Karnali match — and the rest
Match 5, 29 October, vs Janakpur Bolts — 8 off 18 balls, 0 for 18 in 2 overs. The one defeat. Kathmandu were bowled out for 115, and Karan's 8 was the slowest innings of his season. Janakpur chased 116 with eight wickets to spare. Match 10, 2 November, vs Karnali Yaks — 44 off 20 balls, 2 for 35 in 4 overs. The captain's match. Karnali made 180 for 6, and Karan's two wickets kept the total within reach. Then, chasing 181, he smashed 44 off 20 balls — four fours, three sixes — and Kathmandu won by four wickets with two balls to spare. Player of the match, and the win that started the four-match winning run. Match 15, 5 November, vs Biratnagar Kings — 2 for 17 in 4.3 overs. He did not bat — Kathmandu needed only three batters to chase 84 — but his bowling was the sharpest of his season: 2 for 17, including the wickets that broke Biratnagar's resistance as they were bowled out for 83. Kathmandu won by nine wickets. Match 18, 7 November, vs Lumbini Lions — 9 off 10 balls, 2 for 24 in 4 overs. A quieter batting day, but two more wickets in the 36-run win. Lumbini were bowled out for 124 chasing 161. Match 20, 9 November, vs Chitwan Rhinos — 20 off 7 balls, 1 for 43 in 4 overs. The 20 off 7 — three sixes — pushed Kathmandu from a good total to a winning one: 180 for 8. Chitwan made 170 for 7, and Kathmandu won by 10 runs. The bowling was expensive, but the batting had already done the damage.Captain of the table-toppers
Kathmandu Gorkhas lead the NPL Season 3 points table with 8 points from five matches — four wins, one loss, net run rate +1.168 — and they are already certain of a playoff place. The fight now is for the top two, which go straight to Qualifier 1 on Tuesday 17 November. Karan's captaincy has been built on a simple formula: bowl the hard overs himself, bat when the runs need to come quickly, and let the overseas signings and the young spinners do the rest.
David Warner's departure on 10 November tests that formula. Warner scored 127 runs in four matches and Kathmandu won all four; without him, the captain's runs matter more, and so do his wickets. The next match is the biggest of the league stage: Sudurpaschim Royals on Friday 13 November, first against second, both on 8 points. SialTV will update this page after every Kathmandu match, through the final on 21 November.
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Frequently asked questions
Who captains Kathmandu Gorkhas?
Karan KC. The all-rounder — full name Karan Khatri Chhetri, born 10 October 1991 in Baglung — leads the side in Season 3 and has 81 runs and 7 wickets in five matches. Kathmandu have won four of those five and sit top of the table.
How many wickets has Karan KC taken in NPL 2026?
Seven wickets in five matches — the most by any Kathmandu bowler this season — at an average of 19.57 and an economy rate of 7.41. His best figures are 2 for 17 against Biratnagar Kings, and he has taken at least one wicket in four of the five matches.
What was Karan KC's best match of the season?
Against Karnali Yaks on 2 November: 44 off 20 balls with the bat and 2 for 35 with the ball, in a four-wicket win chasing 181. He was named player of the match, and the win started Kathmandu's four-match winning run.