The 17-year-old spin bowler from Nepal was bought by the Delhi Daredevils to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for approximately AU $40,000, in January 2018. Compared to Lamichhane, his Australian team captain Glenn Maxwell was paid $1.75 million.
After having to sit out for eleven matches, Lamichhane finally made his debut on May 12 against and took his first wicket of the competition.
Speaking after his first game, Lamichhane acknowledged the challenges ahead for him.
“I have to be grounded and stay humble because I have to play a lot of cricket”.
By the time the team ended their season on May 20, he had taken five wickets in three matches he had played in.
Lamichhane has also acknowledged the support he has received from former Australian cricket players, including and .
Ponting is the head coach of Delhi Daredevils, and Clarke has played an essential role in developing Lamichhane’s cricketing career. After spotting him in 2016, Clarke brought him to the same year to play few matches for his former club in Western Sydney.
Listen to full interview coach Mark Ray here:
While he was playing in Sydney, his local Nepali supporters were hoping he would be able to join the Australian Big Bash League, but his career took a dramatic turn after making it into the IPL.
Sandeep Lamichhane is the first player from Nepal to be selected into the Indian Premier League. He was recently chosen to play for a Caribbean Premier league team and is also in the ICC’s world with eleven teams playing against West Indies in a charity match on May 31.
