A big jump, with helmet on one hand and bat in the other, followed by a roar. This has been a signature move of David Warner—after his half-century or a ton—for a long time. What’s different is that in just over a month, Nepalis could see this celebration not only on television screens, but live at the TU International Cricket Ground here in Kathmandu.

Warner does not have a single celebration. He is a creator of celebrations, depending on the match and venue. For instance, the Pushpa celebration—the hand chin-swipe gesture motivated by Indian filmstar Allu Arjun’s Pushpa movie franchise.

It takes a career full of defining highs to celebrate as frequently as Warner does. That match-winning instinct is exactly what the Kathmandu Gorkhas expect him to bring when he steps onto the TU Ground for the third season of the Nepal Premier League, which kicks off on October 26.

The Gorkhas, after four days of clues and guesses with the fans, finally revealed Warner as their third foreign signing for the season on Tuesday afternoon. And it has been the talk of the town.

“One of world cricket’s most explosive names is now coming to our Valley,” wrote the Gorkhas while announcing Warner.

There are many reasons why Warner is the biggest signing in the NPL so far, not just the third season. His accolades show why he is a bigger signing than Biratnagar Kings’ Martin Guptill and Faf du Plessis, Karnali Yaks’ Shikhar Dhawan and Sudurpaschim Royals’ Chris Lynn.

Warner is not an active player for the Aussies. He announced his complete retirement from international cricket after Australia lost to India in the Super 8 of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and he is still the leading run-scorer for Australia in T20Is—with 3,277 runs in 110 T20Is. It was during South Africa’s tour to Australia in January 2009 when Warner debuted through the shortest format, smashing 89 off 43 and announcing himself in style.

In his 15-year-long career for the Australian senior team, Warner, now 39, fell short only of five runs for 19,000 international runs. He scored 8,786 runs in 112 Tests, with a highest score of 335 not out, and 6,932 runs in 161 ODIs, with a highest score of 179.

What sums up Warner’s career for Australia better is his victories—two ODI World Cups (2015 and 2023), one T20 World Cup (2021), and a World Test Championship (2021-23). Moreover, when Australia won the 2011 T20 World Cup, Warner was awarded the ‘Player of the Series’.

Warner can play slow, and he can be furious too. And it is the latter character, which he has shown across his 15 seasons in the Indian Premier League (IPL), that Nepali fans, and especially Kathmandu Gorkhas, will be looking for in October.

Warner seems ready to meet that expectation in Nepal, of lifting the spirit of a country reeling from the August 26 Rasuwa flash flood that left thousands dead or missing.

“I am really excited to be coming to Nepal and joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas squad,” Warner said in a video posted by the Gorkhas. “I know it has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, and I hope that the NPL could bring some joy and give people something to come together.”

Warner also says that he is eager to witness the passion for cricket in the Himalayas.

“I have heard so much about the passion and the fans. I can’t wait to experience it all. I can’t wait to meet you and get out there and be with my team,” he said. “Three cities, one soul, one team and one dream. Ayo Gorkhali!”

And Warner has already started interacting with Nepali fans.

“Absolutely pumped and I can’t wait to meet everyone,” Warner commented on the Gorkhas’ video on Instagram. “I will need some tips on batting there please.”

And these two comments already have hundreds of Nepalis replying.

It is not a surprise to see Nepalis getting pumped up with Warner’s arrival when Nepal’s cricket legend himself is.

“Things are heating up at the Festival of Himalayas [fire emoji],” Nepal’s former captain Paras Khadka wrote, sharing the Gorkhas’ announcement post. “Welcome to the home of Nepal cricket David Warner.”

Warner has an eyedropping résumé not only with Australia. He has matching records in franchise cricket as well.

In his 15 seasons in the IPL, from 2009 to 2024, Warner has only played for two franchises—Sunrisers Hyderabad (seven seasons) and Delhi Capitals, formerly Delhi Daredevils (eight seasons). He lifted the IPL trophy only once—as the skipper of Hyderabad in 2016—but has shown his skills every season.

Warner kept IPL’s orange cap—which is given to the leading run-scorer of a season—thrice. He has scored 500+ runs in an IPL season seven times, with the highest coming in his IPL-winning season: 848 runs in 17 games.

With 6,565 runs in 184 matches, Warner is fourth on the list of all-time leading run scorers in the IPL. He follows Virat Kohli (9,336 runs), Rohit Sharma (7,329 runs) and Shikhar Dhawan (6,769 runs), making Warner the leading run scorer among overseas players.

The 5ft 7inches power hitter has also proven his might at the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, Major League Cricket, Vitality Blast, Champions League T20 and International League T20, among others.

Warner’s latest tournament was the Pakistan Super League, where he smashed a decisive 89 off 48 in Karachi Kings’ nine-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at the team’s last match on April 25. He announced his departure from the IPL after joining Karachi as their captain in 2025.

And the Gorkhas say that the whole franchise has taken a big step by bringing in the legend of the game for the third season.

“This moment is deeply personal to me as well,” Anubhav Swar Sirohiya, executive director of Kathmandu Gorkhas, wrote to the Post. “Bringing David Warner to the Kathmandu Gorkhas was not something that happened overnight.

“It took months of conversations, persistence and belief from everyone involved. There were many moments when it felt difficult, but the possibility of seeing a player of his stature represent Kathmandu and play at the TU Cricket Ground made every effort worthwhile.”

This is much bigger than one signing or one franchise, Sirohiya noted. “If bringing a global icon like David Warner to Nepal can inspire young players, excite our supporters, attract greater international attention and contribute in some way to the growth of Nepali cricket, then it will be one of the most meaningful things I have had the privilege of being part of,” he added. “This is for Nepali cricket. And above all, this is for every cricket fan in Nepal who has always believed that our country and our game deserve the biggest stage.”

However, it will be inaccurate to say that Warner’s career only had his highs. He was identified as the main planner behind the ball tampering incident—famously known as the “Sandpapergate”—during the Test match against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018.

In April, Warner faced legal action for drink-driving in Sydney.

But these incidents hardly question the skill of Warner with the bat, which is where the eyes of millions will be when he enters the pitch of TU Ground.

The Gorkhas have yet to announce how many matches Warner will play in the tournament.