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IPL 2018: Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane says not frustrated by wait to debut
Sandeep Lamichhane, who made an impression on IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils, said he was not frustrated after being made to wait to get his first Indian Premier League game.
Sandeep Lamichhane took a giant step in Nepal’s cricketing journey by becoming the first from his kingdom to make his IPL debut, for Delhi Daredevils in the five-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore. (MATCH REPORT)
The 17-year-old leg-spinner gave an excellent first impression (4-0-25-1) after being handed the job of opening the bowling attack. He bowled 10 dot balls too. (HIGHLIGHTS) (FULL SCORECARD)
After the match, Lamichhane said he was not irritated having to wait till the 11th match to get a game.
“We had a meeting yesterday and got to know I will be playing. It was the decision of captain and coach; it was wonderful how I played today,” he told reporters after the match at Ferozeshah Kotla ground.
“The most important thing is how you are learning all the time,” he said denying any frustration at not playing.
“It has been very good the last 1-1/2 months here, I learnt a lot of things. We have got an exceptional coach and a good captain. All players are very good. I have been very lucky so far, this moment never comes easily. I still have a long way to go, I still have to do a lot of hard work.”
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Lamichhane owes it to former Australia skipper Michael Clarke. The man who spotted his talent is doing TV commentary in IPL and has been having chats with the teenager.
“We were close during this IPL season. He told me ‘you have done a great job today’ but I am still upset because the important thing is your team winning.”
OPENING GAMBLE
Lamichhane was thrown at the deep end after being asked to bowl the first when Royal Challengers Bangalore batted. “To be honest, I have never opened the bowling before, never in international cricket. I was very excited to get a chance to play against a good team like RCB with good batsmen. I did hard work yesterday too with the new ball as well.”
He faced two left-handers, Parthiv Patel and Moeen Ali. The England all-rounder fell cheaply again while Lamichhane trapped Patel leg before.
“As leg-spinner if you are bowling against left-handers they are going to charge against you. I was making sure I bowled in good areas with good line and length. There were some good balls in the very first over, I had some good releases. It went good, a good debut for me.”
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Lamichhane is the latest leg-spin addition to Indian Premier League, joining the list that has RCB’s Yuzvendra Chahal, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Mujib ur Rahman, Mumbai Indians’ Mayank Markande and Rajasthan Royals’ Shreyas Gopal.
But with Nepal still taking early steps in the game, he admitted he will have to go in search of better quality cricket and encouraged his teammates.
“There is a lot of talent in Nepal as well. I am playing for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League. There are a lot of opportunities for players who are in Nepal.”
