In the quiet hills of Syangja, Nepal, on August 2, 2000, a boy named Sandeep Lamichhane was born. The son of Chander Narayan Lamichhane, a railway worker, and Kopila Devi, a homemaker, young Sandeep grew up far from the glamour of international cricket. Yet, the dusty streets of Aruchaur Talpokhari became his first pitch, where he bowled imaginary googlies to friends, dreaming of a bigger stage.
Sandeep’s talent was raw, like an uncut gem. At 14, during a chance encounter at Chitwan Cricket Academy, Nepal’s coach Pubudu Dassanayake spotted him. The coach, en route to a wedding, saw Sandeep’s wrist flick with a precision that belied his age. That moment changed everything. Selected for the national under-19 camp, Sandeep began honing his craft under the guidance of mentors like Paras Khadka.
By 2016, Sandeep was no longer just a boy from Syangja. At the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, he spun his way into history, taking 14 wickets—the second-highest in the tournament. His hat-trick against Ireland, dismissing Lorcan Tucker, Adam Dennison, and Fiachra Tucker in succession, earned him the Man of the Match award and global attention. With figures of 5/27, he became the fifth bowler ever to take a hat-trick in the U-19 World Cup. His leg-spin wasn’t just skill; it was magic, baffling batsmen and igniting hope for Nepali cricket.
The world took notice. In 2016, Hong Kong’s Scott McKechnie, impressed after being dismissed twice by Sandeep during an MCC tour, invited him to the Hong Kong T20 Blitz. There, Sandeep shared a dressing room with cricketing legend Michael Clarke. Clarke, captivated by the teenager’s guile, invited him to Sydney to play grade cricket for Western Suburbs District Cricket Club. Under the mentorship of Clarke and Shane Warne, Sandeep’s confidence soared.
In 2018, Sandeep made history again. At just 17, he became the first Nepali cricketer signed by an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), for INR 2 million. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the signing as a strengthening of India-Nepal ties. Sandeep debuted against Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking a wicket for 25 runs. Across nine IPL matches, he claimed 13 wickets at an average of 22.46, proving he belonged among the best.
Sandeep’s rise wasn’t limited to the IPL. He became a T20 globetrotter, playing for teams like the Hobart Hurricanes (Big Bash League), Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League), and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Caribbean Premier League). In the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two, he took 17 wickets in six matches, earning the Player of the Tournament award and propelling Nepal to the World Cup Qualifiers. The ICC named him one of the top ten players to watch in 2018, a testament to his growing stature.
On August 1, 2018, Sandeep was part of Nepal’s historic first One Day International (ODI) against the Netherlands, where he took the nation’s first-ever ODI wicket. By 2025, he had amassed 127 ODI wickets at an average of 19.79 and 86 T20I wickets at 12.27, making him Nepal’s highest wicket-taker in both formats. His best figures—6/11 in ODIs and 4/11 in T20Is—reflect his ability to dismantle batting line-ups. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he became the second-fastest to 100 T20I wickets, cementing his legacy.
Beyond cricket, Sandeep’s charisma shines. A singer, he released his first song, Udash Thiyo, in 2018, showcasing his creative side. As Nepal’s national team captain from December 2021, he led with quiet determination, inspiring a generation. His 2017 NNIPA Best Youth Player award and brand ambassadorship for Invento Engineering highlight his influence off the field.
On his 25th birthday in 2025, Sandeep’s story is one of defiance and dreams. From street cricket in Syangja to stadiums worldwide, he’s shown that talent knows no borders. Last year, on his 24th birthday, he delivered a masterclass in the Global T20 Canada, taking 3/6 for Surrey Jaguars, bowling 18 dot balls in a spell that toppled the Mississauga Panthers. Today, as he celebrates, Nepal celebrates too—a spinner who turned dreams into reality, one googly at a time.
Achievements Recap:
- First Nepali cricketer in the IPL (Delhi Capitals, 2018).
- Nepal’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs (127 wickets) and T20Is (86 wickets).
- Second-fastest to 100 T20I wickets (2024 T20 World Cup).
- Hat-trick in U-19 World Cup (2016, vs. Ireland).
- Player of the Tournament, ICC World Cricket League Division Two (2018, 17 wickets).
- First Nepali in Big Bash League (Melbourne Stars, 2018) and Caribbean Premier League (2018).
- NNIPA Best Youth Player of the Year (2017).
- Best bowling in Global T20 Canada (3/6, 2023).