Janakpur Bolts Squad 2026: Full Player List for NPL Season 3
Looking for the janakpur bolts squad 2026? Here is the full confirmed player list, captain, overseas signings and auction buys for NPL Season 3.
Fans searching for the janakpur bolts squad 2026 now have a clear picture of the defending champions' roster for NPL Season 3. Janakpur Bolts, who lifted the inaugural 2024 NPL title, enter the third edition with a mix of retained Nepali core, key auction buys and four high-profile overseas signings. The tournament runs from October 26 to November 21, 2026, with all 32 matches at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu.
Who is in the Janakpur Bolts squad for NPL 2026
The confirmed Janakpur Bolts squad for NPL Season 3 stands at 15 players as of early October 2026. Below is the full list grouped by role, based on official franchise announcements, auction results and the StatsNPL database.
Batters: Aaditya Mahata, Aashutosh Pandey, Amar Routela, Mayan Yadav, Rit Gautam, Trit Raj Das.
Wicketkeepers: Anil Sah (retained marquee), Santosh Karki.
All-rounders: Abhisekh Tiwari, Bishal Patel, Bishal Shusling, Bikash Aagri.
Bowlers: Lalit Rajbanshi.
Overseas players: Harmeet Singh (USA, captain), James Neesham (New Zealand), Iftikhar Ahmed (Pakistan), Moeen Ali (England).
Captain, coach and key support staff
American left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh has been appointed captain of Janakpur Bolts for NPL 2026. Singh played the first two seasons with Sudurpaschim Royals, helping them reach both finals, and brings T20 international experience with the USA. The franchise has not yet officially announced a head coach for Season 3. CEO Niroj Khatiwada has led public communications on signings and strategy.
Overseas and international signings
Janakpur Bolts have assembled one of the most experienced overseas quartets in the tournament. Harmeet Singh was signed as captain in August 2026. New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, the hero of the 2024 title win, returned to the franchise in late August. Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed joined in late September as a middle-order batter and off-spin option. In the final week before the tournament, England's two-time World Cup winner Moeen Ali was confirmed as the fourth foreign player, completing the Bolts' overseas quota.
Retained players and auction buys, and who to watch
Janakpur Bolts retained five players ahead of the July 2026 auction: wicketkeeper-batter Anil Kumar Sah (marquee), spinner Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, all-rounder Bikash Aagri, batter Mayan Yadav and batter Aaditya Mahata. At the auction, the franchise spent NPR 41.25 lakh to add eight domestic players, headlined by Category A batter Trit Raj Das for NPR 15 lakh. Other auction buys include all-rounders Abhisekh Tiwari, Bishal Patel and Amar Routela (each NPR 5 lakh), batter Rit Gautam (NPR 4.25 lakh), wicketkeeper Santosh Karki (NPR 3 lakh), and batters Aashutosh Pandey and Bishal Shusling (NPR 2 lakh each).
Key players to watch include captain Harmeet Singh, whose left-arm spin and lower-order hitting proved decisive in previous seasons; Jimmy Neesham, whose 247 runs at a 196 strike rate powered the 2024 title; and Trit Raj Das, who arrives as one of the most expensive domestic batters in the auction. Anil Sah, the 2024 championship-winning captain, returns as wicketkeeper and top-order batter.
Janakpur Bolts' NPL record so far
Janakpur Bolts won the inaugural NPL title in 2024, defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by five wickets in the final. Lahiru Milantha was player of the match for his 87-run knock, and finished as the team's leading run-scorer in the tournament with 293 runs. In the 2025 season, the Bolts finished with one win and six losses in the league stage, placing seventh overall. Across both seasons, the franchise has played 17 matches, winning 8 and losing 9, for a win percentage of 47.1 percent.
Strengths, possible weaknesses and what to expect in Season 3
The Bolts' greatest strength lies in their overseas depth. With Harmeet Singh, Jimmy Neesham, Iftikhar Ahmed and Moeen Ali, they have match-winners in batting, bowling and fielding across all phases. The middle order gains flexibility from Iftikhar and Moeen, while Neesham's power-hitting and Singh's spin provide balance. Domestically, Lalit Rajbanshi remains the most experienced bowler, with 21 wickets in 15 NPL matches.
A possible weakness is the relative lack of specialist pace-bowling depth among Nepali players, and the fact that the head coach role remains unconfirmed close to the start date. The batting lineup is strong but relies heavily on overseas stars; if any are unavailable due to international duty or injury, the domestic core must step up. Expect Janakpur to be aggressive in the powerplay and middle overs, using their overseas all-rounders to control momentum.
Closing note and last updated date
Squads in franchise tournaments can change up to and during the season due to injuries, replacements and late signings. Fans should monitor official Janakpur Bolts social media channels and the Cricket Association of Nepal for any updates. This article was last updated on October 6, 2026.