There are stadiums, and then there is the Wankhede. For any cricketer, playing on the turf where India won the 2011 World Cup is a milestone. But for Nepal's Karan KC, it is personal. It is the closing of a circle that began years ago in the humid summers of Mumbai.
For years, the fast bowler traveled to the city to hone his skills at Umesh Patwal's academy. He was close to the stadium—physically—but a world away professionally. He would look at the towering stands from the outside, wondering if his spikes would ever touch that grass. In the 2026 T20 World Cup, that question finally gets an answer: Yes.
"You Will Play There One Day"
Sport is often fueled by belief, even when the odds say otherwise. During those grueling training sessions at the modest academy grounds, Patwal—who has coached Nepal in the past—instilled a vision in his student.
"Sir always told me, 'You will play there one day,'" Karan recalls. At the time, with Nepal still climbing the associate ladder, it seemed like a distant fantasy. But as the T20 World Cup schedule was released, the fantasy turned into a fixture list. Nepal isn't just visiting Wankhede; they are practically moving in, playing all their group stage games at the venue.
Nepal's pace spearhead in action. (Photo: ESPNCricinfo)
Mumbai: The Second Home
Karan's connection to the city runs deep. The local train rides, the vada pavs, and the relentless heat of Mumbai summers shaped him as a cricketer. Returning here for the World Cup feels less like an away tour and more like a homecoming.
"I have trained here every summer," he shares. "To finally go inside and play... I can't express that happiness."
The iconic Wankhede Stadium. (Photo: MCA)
Pace, Bounce, and Opportunity
Emotion aside, the Wankhede is a strategic goldmine for Karan. Unlike the slow, turning tracks often found in the sub-continent, the red soil of Wankhede offers bounce and carry—music to the ears of a fast bowler. Opening the campaign against giants like England, Nepal will rely heavily on Karan to exploit these conditions.
A Historic Opener
Nepal faces England in their first match. It’s David vs. Goliath, set in a coliseum. But for Karan KC, the battle isn't just against the English batters; it's a celebration of a journey that started on the other side of the stadium gates.