Nehal Wadhera made his Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023. After showing early promise, the southpaw came into his own in the ongoing IPL season while playing for the Punjab Kings (PBKS).

In seven matches so far, Wadhera has amassed 189 runs at an average of 37.80 and a strike rate of 146.51.

His scores this season read 43*, 62, 9, 27, 10, 33*, and 5. The youngster has displayed great courage to take on the bowlers from the outset.

Notably, Wadhera led his team to victory in a rain-curtailed 14-over contest against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Satdium, successfully chasing a 96-run target despite losing wickets at the other end.

The match against RCB was special for Nehal Wadhera as the legendary Virat Kohli greeted him. In fact, he was left stunned when Kohli recognised him before the game.

"I was actually really shocked when before the match Virat bhai was standing out and talking to Shreyas Iyer, and asked in Punjabi 'ki haal chaal, Nehal' (how are you doing Nehal?)'" Wadhera said, as quoted by PTI.

"I wasn't really expecting that he would remember my name. That made me really happy." That moment, Wadhera said, opened the door for a quick conversation he had long waited for.

"Till last year, I used to tell a player -- either it was Tilak (Varma) or Surya bhai (Suryakumar Yadav) -- that I wanted to talk to Virat bhai once,” said the former MI batter.

"That was the actual ice-breaker where I got to know that yes, Virat bhai knows my name, and I could actually go up to him and have a conversation.”

Following the game, Wadhera seized the moment to seek feedback from Kohli as he was later seen clicking a picture with the RCB stalwart.

"As soon as the match finished, I went up to him and asked, 'Virat bhai, you have seen me for the last two years and this year -- what do you think?'"

Wadhera was overwhelmed to receive praise from Kohli over his shot selection, composure and match awareness.

"It was really good talking to him and I enjoyed it a lot," the 24-year-old added. "His words reinforced my belief and helped me understand how to approach the game better."

After his match-winning knock against RCB, Wadhera also received a special phone call from former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh. “His words were like golden words to me. He gave me tips, told me how I can go one step ahead. I have huge respect for him.”

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting have consistently backed Nehal Wadhera for his ability to play match-defining knocks, and the young batter repaid their faith with solid performances.

Wadhera believes Iyer's leadership has brought a positive shift in the Punjab camp, praising the captain’s tactical mindset and the inclusive atmosphere he's helped create alongside coach Ponting.

"The combination he's forming with Ponting is working really well,” Wadhera said. "They already had that bonding from DC, and now they're extending that to newcomers like me."

"But the way he changes the ball inside, changes the field, it shows that he is very involved and always thinks for the team. He is always, you know, a team man. He always thinks for the team rather than his own performance."

(With PTI Inputs)