IPL auctions: First player from Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane makes cut

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions often spring a few a surprises, and Sunday was one such. Young leg-spinner from Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane was picked by Delhi Daredevils for a base price of Rs. 20 lakh.

The young gun, Sandeep Lamichhane, scripted history, bagging a hat-trick in the U-19 World Cup fixture against Ireland in 2016 to become only the fifth player to achieve the feat.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions often spring a few a surprises, and Sunday was one such. Young leg-spinner from Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane was picked by Delhi Daredevils for a base price of Rs. 20 lakh.

This made Lamichhane the first cricketer from Nepal to be picked by an IPL franchise. The 17-year-old Lamichhane idolises Australian spin ace Shane Warne and has a similar bowling action.

The young gun also scripted history, bagging a hat-trick in the U-19 World Cup fixture against Ireland in 2016 to become only the fifth player to achieve the feat.

Later in the year, his performance had drawn attention of former Australia skipper Michael Clarke. Playing in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz alongside Clarke for Kowloon Cantons, Lamichhane impressed the former Aussie captain so much that Clarke sent an invitation to him to represent the Sydney-based club Western Suburbs in the Australian grade cricket.

 “Sandeep is a fantastic young man who enjoys his cricket and is extremely passionate about the game. It is a really exciting opportunity to have such a talented Nepalese cricketer travel this distance to come and test his skills and improve his game at my academy,” Clarke had said then.