Gulshan Jha

Gulshan Jha
Personal information
Full name
Gulshan Kumar Jha
Born (2006-02-17) 17 February 2006[1][2]
Malangwa, Sarlahi, Nepal[2]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleAll-rounder
International information
National side
ODI debut (cap 27)17 September 2021 v United States
Last ODI1 November 2025 v United States
ODI shirt no.15
T20I debut (cap 39)19 February 2022 v Philippines
Last T20I8 February 2026 v England
T20I shirt no.15
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2020/21–presentNepal Police Club
2021/22Kathmandu Kings XI
2022/23Lumbini All Stars
2024/25–presentKarnali Yaks
Career statistics
Competition ODI T20I List A T20
Matches 40 52 43 58
Runs scored 726 630 788 740
Batting average 26.88 21.00 26.26 21.14
100s/50s 0/4 0/1 0/4 0/1
Top score 67* 54 67* 54
Balls bowled 1,071 531 1,107 591
Wickets 34 29 34 31
Bowling average 32.17 22.03 33.67 23.00
5 wickets in innings 1 0 1 0
10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0
Best bowling 5/47 3/31 5/47 3/31
Catches/stumpings 11/– 17/– 13/– 18/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 8 February 2026

Gulshan Kumar Jha (Nepali: गुलशन कुमार झा,Nepali pronunciation: [ɡulʃʌn kumar d͡ʒʱa] ⓘ; born 17 February 2006) is a Nepalese cricketer who plays as an all-rounder for Nepal.[1][2][3] He made his debut for Nepal in 2021 at just 15 years of age, becoming the youngest person to play for Nepal and the third-youngest One Day International cricketer of all time.

Early life and career

Jha was born and raised in Sarlahi District in Nepal. In 2016, he moved to Ranchi in India and for four years was enrolled in the Arunodaya Cricket Academy, returning to Nepal in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Jha made his tournament debut in Nepal playing for Nepal Police Club in the Kathmandu Mayor's Cup in February 2021. He was named the player of the match in the tournament final, with bowling figures of 4/22 from his 7 overs. The match was watched by Nepal's national coach Dav Whatmore, who brought Jha into the squad for Nepal's national team.[4]

International career

In August 2021, Jha was named in Nepal's One Day International (ODI) squad for their tour of Oman, including a series against Papua New Guinea and round six of the 2019–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament.[5][6] He did not play in the series against Papua New Guinea, but made his ODI debut on 17 September 2021 against the United States.[7] In making his debut he became the youngest player to play ODI cricket for Nepal and the third-youngest ODI player of all time at just 15 years and 212 days.[8]

In February 2022, he was named in Nepal's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier A tournament in Oman.[9] He made his T20I debut on 19 February 2022, for Nepal against the Philippines.[10]

In May 2023, Jha was the player of the match in the final of the 2023 ACC Men's Premier Cup against the United Arab Emirates. Having been elevated to the top order, he scored a half-century and helped Nepal to win the match and qualify for the 2023 Asia Cup.[11] He was Nepal's best player in the 2023 Men's T20 World Cup Asia regional final, where Nepal qualified for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. He scored a half-century in the tournament final against Oman, with 54 runs from 25 deliveries.[12]

Jha was part of Nepal's squad in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup in June 2024.[13] He was part of the team when Nepal came close to upset victory over South Africa on 14 June. Jha was the on-strike batter for the final over, and scored a four to bring Nepal within one run of South Africa's score. He attempted to run a bye off of the final ball of the match to send the match to a super over. After a throw from South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock deflected off of Jha's back, Jha slowed his running pace, thinking he would easily make the run. The ball deflected straight to fielder Heinrich Klaasen, who ran him out, giving South Africa a one-run victory.[14][15][16] He received significant negative comments from fans after the loss and failure of Nepal to progress in the tournament.[17]

Jha missed the third round of the 2024–2026 Cricket World Cup League 2 in June 2024 due to a knee injury.[18] In September 2024, he became the first Nepal player to have a half-century and five-wicket haul in the same match, and the 24th player in ODI history to do so.[19]

In January 2026, Jha was selected in Nepal's squad for 2026 T20I World Cup.[20]

Franchise cricket

Jha has played franchise cricket in Nepal for several teams, including the Kathmandu Kings XI in the Everest Premier League, the Lumbini All Stars in the Nepal T20 League, and the Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b "Gulsan Jha". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Gulshan Jha". Cricnepal.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  3. ^ "गुलशन झा: नेपाली क्रिकेट टोलीमा 'सुवास' थपिँदै". BBC News नेपाली. 4 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b Nepal, Govinda Raj (25 August 2021). "Gulshan Jha: Nepal's 17-year-old fast bowler shows promise for the future". onlinekhabar. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Nepal announces squad for the CWCL2 series". Emerging Cricket. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Nepal announces squad for the CWCL2 series". Emerging Cricket. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  7. ^ "40th Match (D/N), Al Amerat, Sep 17 2021, ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Records | One-Day Internationals | Individual records (captains, players, umpires) | Youngest players | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Nepal name final squad for T20 Global Qualifiers". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Nepal loses six wickets against India". myRepublica. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Jha, Sharki lead Nepal to historic win". The Kathmandu Post. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  12. ^ Nepal, Govinda Raj (17 November 2023). "Gulshan Jha: The clutch all-rounder Nepal banks on for T20 World Cup success". onlinekhabar. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Nepal has announced their Squad for T20 World Cup". ScoreWaves. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  14. ^ Balasuriya, Madushka (14 June 2024). "Heartbreak for Nepal as Shamsi scripts stunning turnaround". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Watch: Nepal lose cliff-hanger by one run vs South Africa after chaotic last ball run out". Wisden. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  16. ^ Koirala, Utsav (16 June 2024). "South Africa narrowly avoids one of the greatest upsets in T20 World Cup history". Emerging Cricket. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  17. ^ "Captain Rohit Paudel admits Nepal's batting struggles in T20 World Cup; Urges fans to avoid negative comments about Jha". khabarhub. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  18. ^ "Sompal Kami and Gulshan Jha ruled out of League 2 series due to injuries". myRepublica. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  19. ^ "Gulshan Jha becomes first Nepali to score half-century and take 5 wickets in Single ODI". onlinekhabar. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  20. ^ "Talent aplenty in Nepal's squad for Men's T20 World Cup 2026". 6 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  21. ^ "With Jha's decisive sixer Karnali Yaks secure easy win over Pokhara Avengers". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
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