Sandeep Lamichhane: Playing in the Big Bash is a dream come true

Sandeep Lamichhane

Source: Kausal Adhikari/cricketingnepal.com

Two years ago when the then 16-year-old Nepali spin bowler Sandeep Lamichhane played in Sydney, many had hoped he would come back to Australia.


He is coming back - this time as a top-level cricketer to play for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.

In 2016, when he played alongside former Australian captain Michael Clarke in Sydney, Lamichhane told his fans he hoped to one day play in the Australian Big Bash League.

Lamichhane and Clarke had been playing together with the former Australian skipper's old club, Western Suburbs.
Club officials decided to include Lamichhane in the team despite only seeing his bowling skills on the internet.

However, someone with a recommendation from Michael Clarke cannot be refused said Mark Ray, the club's bowling coach.

"We picked him before we'd seen him", .

Lamichhane didn't disappoint the club officials and his fans taking one wicket in 8 overs and giving away 17 runs.

Speaking to journalists after the game in the northern Sydney suburb of Mosman, Sandeep Lamichhane said he dreamt of playing in the Australian Big Bash League.

Since then Lamichhane has become the first Nepali player to join the highly sought after Indian Premier League. His team, the Delhi Daredevils, is led by another renowned former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting.
Two years later, Lamichhane's dream of playing in the Big Bash League is coming true.
His fans in Australia have welcomed news of him representing the Melbourne Stars.
According to local media, Sandeep is not just the first Nepali cricketer but the first one among the Associate Nations to play in BBL.

“I am delighted with the news. It is a dream come true,'' said the leg-spinner when contacted by SBS Nepali.

''I will try to keep my cricket and stick to the basis as I think that is the best way to cricket."

He thanked Clarke for providing him with that opportunity two years ago.
''I received a warm welcome in Sydney two years ago and expected the same from Nepalese living in Melbourne this time around", he said.
Michael Clarke also welcomed the news.

"Very proud of this little champion. Dreams do come true when you work your backside off!", tweeted Clarke.
However, for Nepali cricketers, Sandeep is not only living his dream but that of the whole nation.

"He is living the dream of many Nepali cricketers - that of playing in prestigious international tournaments,'' said Binod Das former caption of the National team.

Das, like many senior cricketers, believes the right-hand spinner thinks IPL was Sandeep's most significant break.
However, Sandeep, who is known as the Nepali Shane Warne, impressed the international cricket fraternity with his ball.
Since then he has become the busiest Nepali cricketer around playing many international tournaments including the Caribbean Premier League and Afghanistan League.

The BBL, which begins from mid-December, is the sixth among them.

It will make his the highest earning cricket and setting an example for many youngsters that it is possible to become a professional cricketer even in a country where domestic cricket is almost non- existent.

Sandeep Lamichhane’s journey

Sandeep's cricket journey has been remarkable so far. He was spotted by the national team coach Pubudu Dasanayake during a talent hunt and directly made his berth in the national team.

Those who have been following Lamichhane's bowling progress say he could spin the ball from an early age.
He has continued to polish his skills with every opportunity he has received.
"On the very first day he came to the academy he had impressed us with his skills. Moreover, he was always ready to put in that extra effort to polish his skills."
It is both his skills and the efforts that have helped him make such an illustrious journey," said Raju Khadka coach of the academy in Chitwan.
Cricketers say that while BBL will be an excellent opportunity for the 18-year old to enhance his cricketing skills he should enjoy his cricket there.
Many have termed it as his second innings in Australia.
Similarly, cricket pundits in Nepal say the BBL could open more lucrative avenues for Sandeep provided he continues to deliver with the ball.


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