Scott Kuggeleijn is a New Zealand fast bowler who will represent Sudurpaschim Royals in NPL Season 3, returning for a third straight edition as an overseas signing. He finished the inaugural tournament as joint-highest wicket-taker and the Royals' leading wicket-taker, with three wickets in the club's first-ever match, and brings 350-plus first-class wickets for Northern Districts. A New Zealand international in all three formats, he had an IPL stint with Chennai Super Kings in 2019.
In Nepal Premier League 2026, Kuggeleijn is the attack leader Airee builds his bowling plans around. He takes the new ball and returns for the death, giving the Royals a proven overseas spearhead after two runners-up finishes.
About Scott Kuggeleijn
Scott Kuggeleijn is the New Zealand right-arm pace bowler who has anchored the Royals' attack since the franchise's first season, returning for a third NPL edition as an overseas signing, rare continuity in a league where overseas slots usually churn. Born in Hamilton in January 1992, he finished the inaugural campaign as the tournament's joint-highest wicket-taker and the Royals' leading wicket-taker, including three wickets in the franchise's first-ever match. He has played for New Zealand in all three formats, including a Test debut against England in February 2023, and brings 350-plus first-class wickets for Northern Districts plus an IPL stint with Chennai Super Kings in 2019. His 16 wickets from 18 T20Is for New Zealand, with best figures of 3 for 27, confirm the white-ball pedigree.
Playing style and strengths
Kuggeleijn is the complete fast-bowling package for T20: new-ball threat, middle-overs enforcer and death-overs closer. His right-arm pace is built on hitting the pitch hard and attacking the stumps, the method that made him the inaugural tournament's joint-highest wicket-taker, and the 350-plus first-class wickets behind it give him the red-ball discipline to adapt when pitches offer seam movement. The verified profile notes he bowls at the new ball and the death, the two highest-leverage phases, and his lower-order hitting, 79 T20I runs at a strike rate above 200 with the bat at eight or nine, means he is never a passenger. Three formats for New Zealand is the character reference: he has executed plans under the highest pressure there is.
Scott Kuggeleijn's role at Sudurpaschim Royals in Season 3
In Season 3 Kuggeleijn is the attack leader for the third straight year, the one overseas signing Airee builds his bowling plans around. He takes the new ball, likely paired with Bohara's swing or Dhami's developing pace, and returns for the death alongside Bohara's yorkers, giving the Royals a proven two-man endgame. Behind him, the domestic pace pool of Bohara, Dhami, Kharel and Bhatta provides the depth that lets Airee manage his spearhead's workload through the tournament. His lower-order power, that 200-plus T20I strike rate, adds late-innings runs from eight or nine. For a franchise chasing the title after two runners-up finishes, the rarest asset is a world-class overseas bowler who already knows the conditions, the captain and the club, and Kuggeleijn is all three.
Player details
| Full name | Scott Kuggeleijn |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 3 January 1992 |
| Birthplace | Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Playing role | Bowling all-rounder |
| Bowling style | Right-arm fast-medium |
Scott Kuggeleijn at NPL 2026
Verified season-by-season NPL figures for Scott Kuggeleijn. Figures marked unavailable were not published in the verified record behind this page.
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | Wkts | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPL 2024 (Season 1) | Sudurpaschim Royals | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available |
| NPL 2025 (Season 2) | Sudurpaschim Royals | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available |
| NPL 2026 (Season 3) | Sudurpaschim Royals | Season not yet played | — | — | — | — | — |
Scott Kuggeleijn career records
Available senior career figures from the verified record behind this page.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best | 100s / 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 18 | 79 | 16 | 3/27 | Not publicly available |
Records & achievements
- Joint-highest wicket-taker of the inaugural NPL tournament and the Royals' leading wicket-taker
- Three straight NPL editions for the same franchise — rare overseas continuity
- 16 wickets from 18 T20Is for New Zealand with best figures of 3 for 27; 79 T20I runs at a strike rate above 200
- Test debut for New Zealand against England in February 2023
- 350-plus first-class wickets for Northern Districts; IPL stint with Chennai Super Kings in 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team does Scott Kuggeleijn play for in NPL Season 3?
Sudurpaschim Royals, returning for a third straight NPL edition as an overseas signing.
What is Scott Kuggeleijn's playing role?
Bowling all-rounder. He bowls right-arm pace at the new ball and the death, and hits from number eight or nine.
What was Scott Kuggeleijn's biggest NPL achievement?
Finishing the inaugural 2024 season as the tournament's joint-highest wicket-taker and the Royals' leading wicket-taker.
How old is Scott Kuggeleijn?
He was born on 3 January 1992 in Hamilton, New Zealand, making him 34 as of October 2026.
Follow Sudurpaschim Royals
Sudurpaschim Royals squad lists every player and how each one joined the Season 3 side.
Sources and verification
Checked October 2026. Records describe the dated reports linked here; a signing does not guarantee selection or availability for every match.
- NPL Season 3 overseas players 2026: team-wise list - nepinsights.com
- 2026 Nepal Premier League - Wikipedia (Kuggeleijn returns)
- Sudurpaschim Royals re-sign Scott Kuggeleijn for NPL Season 2 - sportsmala.com
- Scott Kuggeleijn - Wikipedia (New Zealand career and domestic record)
- Scott Kuggeleijn player profile - CricTracker (international and T20 figures)