Chitwan Rhinos vs. Kathmandu Gorkhas is Match 20 of the 2026 Nepal Premier League (NPL), played today, Monday, November 9, 2026, at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Both teams are in the top four. The Gorkhas are second with 6 points from 4 matches after three wins in a row, while the Rhinos are fourth with 5 points after a 30-run win over Pokhara Avengers. Only the top four teams go through to the playoffs on November 17, so this match is a big one for the race. It brings together two strong line-ups, with David Warner and Rashid Khan for the Gorkhas against Sikandar Raza, Ravi Bopara and Dawid Malan for the Rhinos.
NPL 2026 Match 20 Details
Event: Nepal Premier League 2026 (Season 3)
Match: Chitwan Rhinos vs. Kathmandu Gorkhas (CR vs KAG)
Stage: League stage, Match 20
Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM NPT / 4:45 PM IST / 4:15 PM PKT / 11:15 GMT
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Kathmandu
Match Type: Day/Night T20
Captains: Kushal Malla (Chitwan Rhinos), Karan KC (Kathmandu Gorkhas)
Live Streaming & Live Score Info
Chitwan Rhinos vs. Kathmandu Gorkhas
I could not confirm the official broadcasters for NPL 2026 in each country. In Nepal, the league is promoted on Kantipur Max HD, but please check your local sports channel or app. Ball-by-ball live scores and commentary are available on ESPNcricinfo, CricNepal, Sofascore and CricTracker. If you are traveling outside your home country, use a VPN (e.g. NordVPN or Norton VPN) to connect to your home country’s server and access your local broadcaster.
Why This Match Matters
Race for the top four: Eight teams play seven league matches each, and the top four reach the playoffs on November 17. Both teams are in the places that qualify right now, so a win here is very valuable.
Gorkhas chasing top spot: Kathmandu Gorkhas have won three in a row and have a strong net run rate (+1.313). A win would put them level with or ahead of the leaders, Lumbini Lions.
Rhinos need to keep pace: Chitwan Rhinos have 5 points from 4 matches (2 wins, 1 loss, 1 no result). A win would take them to 7 points and into the top two.
A big test for both line-ups: Two of the most star-studded squads in the league meet, with international names on both sides.
Last season’s story: The Gorkhas finished fourth in 2025 and reached the playoffs. The Rhinos finished seventh and were eliminated, so Chitwan are already far ahead of last year’s pace.
Betting Odds & Prediction
I could not find reliable betting odds, so none are listed here. On current form the Gorkhas are slight favourites because of their three straight wins and better net run rate. However, the Rhinos have strong overseas hitters and a good bowling attack, so this should be close.
Smart Pick: Expect a competitive match. Chasing teams have done well at Kirtipur this season (the Gorkhas chased 181 against Karnali Yaks), so the toss may matter.
Pitch & Weather Update
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
I could not find a reliable pitch or weather report for this match. Totals this season have ranged from 121 to 181, and both batting and bowling have had a say. Teams winning the toss have often chosen to field first.
Current Form: Chitwan Rhinos
The Rhinos have a mixed but positive record (2 wins, 1 loss, 1 no result).
- Match 2 (Oct 27): Beat Biratnagar Kings by 8 runs. Chitwan scored 157/3, with Dawid Malan hitting 70 off 50 balls (5 fours, 5 sixes), Ravi Bopara 31 and Dan Mousley 29
- Nov 2: Lost to Sudurpaschim Royals by 5 wickets (129/6 vs 131/5)
- One match ended in a no result
- Nov 6: Beat Pokhara Avengers by 30 runs (151/6 vs 121). Rijan Dhakal was Player of the Match
Rhinos Squad (key names): Kushal Malla (c), Ravi Bopara, Sikandar Raza, Usama Mir, Dawid Malan, Dan Mousley, Rijan Dhakal, Arjun Saud (wk), Dev Khanal, Deepak Bohara, Bipin Rawal, Bibek Kumar Yadav, Salahuddin Khan, Kaleem Sana, Ranjeet Kumar, Kamal Singh Airee, Gautam KC
Current Form: Kathmandu Gorkhas
The Gorkhas have won three of their four matches and sit second in the table.
- Oct 29: Lost to Janakpur Bolts by 8 wickets
- Nov 2: Beat Karnali Yaks by 4 wickets, chasing 181 in 19.4 overs. Karan KC was Player of the Match
- Nov 5: Beat Biratnagar Kings by 9 wickets. Santosh Yadav was Player of the Match
- Nov 7: Beat Lumbini Lions by 36 runs (Gorkhas scored 160/8)
Gorkhas Squad (key names): Karan KC (c), David Warner, Rashid Khan, Bhim Sharki, Sahil Patel, Suryanshu Koirala, Sahan Arachchige, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Santosh Yadav, Prasiddha Jaishi, Dev Shah, Krishna Paudel, Shahab Alam, Dayanand Mandal, Sonu Devkota
Points Table (Before This Match)
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lumbini Lions | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | +1.501 |
| 2 | Kathmandu Gorkhas | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | +1.313 |
| 3 | Sudurpaschim Royals | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -0.275 |
| 4 | Chitwan Rhinos | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | +0.207 |
Head-to-Head Summary
I could not find a reliable head-to-head record between these two teams, so no table is shown. Both teams have played each other in earlier NPL seasons, but this is the first meeting of the current season for both.
Team Analysis: Chitwan Rhinos
Strengths
- Marquee overseas names: Sikandar Raza, Ravi Bopara, Usama Mir and Dawid Malan
- Kushal Malla holds Nepal’s fastest T20I century and leads the batting charge
- Rijan Dhakal is a left-arm pacer who took the Player of the Match award in the last game
- Won the last match comfortably (by 30 runs)
- A good bowling attack that defended 151
Weaknesses
- A slightly lower points total than the Gorkhas, and a modest net run rate
- Lost to Sudurpaschim Royals when chasing a small target
- Depends on a few overseas players for runs
Key Players
- Kushal Malla (Captain, All-rounder): A hard-hitting Nepal star who leads from the front.
- Dawid Malan (Batter): Scored 70 off 50 balls in the opening win over Biratnagar Kings.
- Sikandar Raza and Ravi Bopara (All-rounders): Experienced overseas all-rounders who add balance.
- Usama Mir (Spinner): A leg-spinner who can control the middle overs.
- Rijan Dhakal (Fast Bowler): Took Player of the Match against Pokhara.
Team Analysis: Kathmandu Gorkhas
Strengths
- Three wins in a row and a strong net run rate (+1.313)
- David Warner gives them a world-class opener
- Rashid Khan is a match-winner with bat and ball
- Karan KC is an experienced all-rounder and captain who won Player of the Match against Karnali Yaks
- Santosh Yadav and Dev Shah have been effective, and the team has depth
Weaknesses
- The Gorkhas lost their only away-style test against Janakpur Bolts by 8 wickets
- Early wickets have fallen in some chases (Warner and Smit Patel in the Karnali chase)
- KS Bharat is not with the squad, so wicketkeeping options are thinner
Key Players
- David Warner (Opener): The biggest name in the squad and the batter who sets the tone.
- Rashid Khan (All-rounder): A top-class spinner and a hard-hitting batter.
- Karan KC (Captain, Bowler): One of the best seamers in Nepal.
- Santosh Yadav (Batter): Player of the Match against Biratnagar Kings.
- Bhim Sharki (Batter): A power hitter who can clear the ropes.
Key Tactical Matchup
The key battle is Rashid Khan and Karan KC vs Dawid Malan and Kushal Malla in the powerplay and middle overs. Malan can score quickly, and Malla attacks from the first ball. If the Gorkhas get early wickets, they can take control.
The second battle is David Warner vs Rijan Dhakal and the Rhinos’ new ball. Dhakal’s left-arm pace gets early swing, and Warner will want to attack him. If Warner survives the powerplay, the Gorkhas can build a big total.
Finally, Sikandar Raza and Usama Mir vs the Gorkhas’ middle order will decide the middle overs. Spin and all-round depth could be the difference in a close match.
FAQs
When is Chitwan Rhinos vs Kathmandu Gorkhas?
Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM NPT. That is 4:15 PM PKT and 4:45 PM IST.
Where is the match being played?
Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Kathmandu.
Which match number is it?
Match 20 of the Nepal Premier League 2026.
Who captains the Rhinos and the Gorkhas?
Kushal Malla captains the Rhinos and Karan KC captains the Gorkhas.
What are the current standings of both teams?
Gorkhas are second with 6 points (3 wins, 1 loss). Rhinos are fourth with 5 points (2 wins, 1 loss, 1 no result).
Is David Warner playing for the Gorkhas?
Yes, he is part of the Gorkhas squad. Check the toss for the confirmed playing XI.
How many teams reach the playoffs?
The top four of the eight teams, with the playoffs starting on November 17.
When does the NPL 2026 end?
The season runs from October 26 to November 21, 2026, with 32 matches.