KATHMANDU, October 31: Sudurpaschim Royals have strengthened their squad ahead of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 with the signing of West Indies international Sherfane Rutherford.
The franchise confirmed the signing on October 24, bringing the 28-year-old left-handed batter to Nepal for his first appearance in the NPL. Known for his aggressive batting and ability to finish games, Rutherford is expected to add significant firepower to the Royals' middle order.
The addition comes at an important time for Sudurpaschim, who have established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in the competition. The Royals have reached the final in both previous editions but have fallen short of lifting the trophy. Having finished as runners-up in 2024 and 2025, the franchise will be determined to go one step further this season.
Rutherford brings considerable international and franchise cricket experience. He has represented the West Indies in 31 One-Day Internationals, scoring 873 runs, and 61 T20 Internationals, accumulating 1,123 runs with a highest score of 84.
Across all T20 competitions, he has scored 5,090 runs in 283 matches at a strike rate of 142.05, including 324 sixes. His aggressive approach makes him particularly dangerous in the middle and death overs, where his ability to clear the boundary can quickly change the direction of a match.
The West Indies batter has also built an impressive franchise cricket career, featuring in several major leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Bangladesh Premier League, Lanka Premier League, International League T20 and Major League Cricket.
He was part of the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad that won the CPL title in 2022 and the Karachi Kings team that secured the PSL championship in 2020-21. In the IPL, Rutherford has represented Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, among other teams. He enjoyed a productive 2025 season with Gujarat Titans, scoring 291 runs in 13 matches.
Sudurpaschim Royals CEO Prakash Khadka expressed confidence that Rutherford's experience and attacking style would strengthen the team's overall combination.
Khadka said the franchise was excited to bring an experienced player like Rutherford into the squad, adding that his batting ability and exposure to international franchise cricket would be valuable to the team's campaign. He also expressed hope that the signing would generate excitement among Nepali cricket supporters.
Rutherford also shared his excitement about joining the Royals, expressing his eagerness to play in the NPL and showcase his abilities in front of Nepali fans. He said his priority would be to perform well for the team and entertain supporters with exciting cricket.
The Royals are led by Nepal international Dipendra Singh Airee, with former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq serving as head coach. Rutherford's arrival gives the team another attacking option alongside its established domestic players.
Sudurpaschim will begin their NPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Lumbini Lions on October 26 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The opening fixture will also provide an early opportunity for the Royals to test themselves against the defending champions.
With two consecutive runner-up finishes behind them, Sudurpaschim Royals will be hoping that Rutherford's power-hitting and franchise cricket experience can help them finally cross the finishing line and claim their maiden NPL title.