Gulshan Jha is a cricket player from Nepal who plays for the Nepal national cricket team. At the age of fifteen years and twenty-one days, he made his ODI debut against the United States, making him the third-youngest player in history.
Table of Contents
Player Profile
| Full name | Gulshan Kumar Jha |
| Born | 17 February 2006 |
| Age | 18 |
| Place of Birth | Malangawa, Sarlahi |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium |
| Role | Bowler Allrounder |
Early Beginnings
Gulshan Jha, a 18-year-old speedster recognised for his nasty bouncers, is a professional cricketer from Nepal. He made headlines when he produced a famous “perfume ball” in the two games he has played for the Nepal Police Club.
Gulshan, who was raised and born in Sarlahi, began playing cricket as a young child and even travelled to Ranchi to further his knowledge of the sport. He was expedited into the Nepal Police team for the Mayor’s Cup, which was held at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in February 2021. Although the pacer did not take any wickets in his debut, he was economical, allowing just 22 runs in 6 overs.
Gulshan’s breakthrough came in the final match, when he completely destroyed the top order of the Nepal Army. The whole Nepali cricket community praised him profusely after he finished with four wickets. The national selectors were impressed by his ability to produce vicious bouncers, and as a result, he was called up for the Tri-Series against Oman and the USA. Even after making the final roster, he still has to contend with fierce opposition from Nepal’s other seasoned pacers in the limited-overs team.
Domestic teams
When Gulshan was not representing the national team, he played for the Nepal Police Club and the Kathmandu Kings XI in the inaugural Nepal T20 League.
International Debut
Gulshan made history by being the third-youngest player to debut in a One Day International (ODI) match at the tender age of 15 years and 212 days. His international debut came on September 17, 2021, when he played the United States.
Another significant step in Gulshan’s developing career came when he took on the Philippines in February 2022 for his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut.
| ODI debut | 17 September 2021 vs USA |
| T20I debut | 19 February 2022 vs Philippines |
The Viral Sensation
However, Gulshan’s ascent to prominence continued. Following his outstanding bowling performance in a domestic tournament in Nepal, he went viral on social media. Selectors were impressed by his skill with the ball after playing just two matches, and as a result, he was added to Nepal’s ODI team for their series against Papua New Guinea.
First Ever Asia Cup Journey
He continued to play for the national squad as Nepal qualified for the Asia Cup in 2023. As the finest young player of the competition, Gulshan won praise for his batting prowess against formidable opponents like Pakistan and India.
Records and Milestones
Having made his debut in an ODI match at the third-youngest age, Gulshan’s name will go down in history. In addition, he has an amazing record of never having gotten a duck during his ODI career, which speaks much about his consistency and batting ability.
| Record Type | Rank | Record Description | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngest players | 3rd | Youngest players (15y 212d) | One-Day Internationals |
| No ducks in career | 2nd | No ducks in career (44) | Combined Test, ODI and T20I records |
Gulshan Jha’S Career Stats
In ODIs, Gulshan Jha averages 30.23 with the bat, scoring 514 runs, and has taken 21 wickets at an average of 36.19. In T20Is, he boasts an average of 24.13 with the bat, scoring 362 runs, and has claimed 19 wickets at an average of 20.94. Gulshan’s all-round performances make him a valuable asset to the Nepal national cricket team, showcasing his consistency and versatility on the field.
Bowling:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 27 | 25 | 723 | 760 | 21 | 3/28 | 36.19 | 6.30 | 34.4 |
| T20Is | 29 | 23 | 332 | 398 | 19 | 2/11 | 20.94 | 7.19 | 17.4 |
| List A | 30 | 27 | 759 | 811 | 21 | 3/28 | 38.61 | 6.41 | 36.1 |
| T20s | 31 | 25 | 356 | 423 | 21 | 2/11 | 20.14 | 7.12 | 16.9 |
Batting & Fielding:
Gulshan has demonstrated his batting ability in addition to his bowling abilities, with a best score of 67* in ODIs and 54* in T20Is.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 27 | 22 | 5 | 514 | 67* | 30.23 | 698 | 73.63 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 22 | 5 |
| T20Is | 29 | 22 | 7 | 362 | 54 | 24.13 | 260 | 139.23 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 23 | 10 |
| List A | 30 | 25 | 5 | 576 | 67* | 28.80 | 765 | 75.29 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 24 | 7 |
| T20s | 31 | 24 | 7 | 412 | 54 | 24.23 | 297 | 138.72 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 27 | 11 |
ICC Ranking
T20 Rankings:
| Category | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Batting | #222 |
| Bowling | #150 |
| All-Rounder | #68 |
ODI Rankings:
| Category | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Batting | #151 |
| Bowling | #204 |
| All-Rounder | #127 |
Contract Grade and Salary:
Gulshan Jha holds a Grade ‘B’ contract with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), entitling him to a monthly salary of Rs 70,000.
Net Worth:
In addition to his salary, Gulshan Jha has the potential to earn through various avenues, such as brand ambassadorships, brand promotions, and sponsorships. As a result, his total net worth is estimated to be around 80 to 90 lakh Nepalese rupees.
Conclusion
Gulshan Kumar Jha is more than simply a cricket player; he represents skill, tenacity, and the steadfast spirit of Nepali cricket. One thing is certain: the world hasn’t seen the last of this Nepali cricket prodigy as he develops and grows in the sport.
