Delhi Daredevils wanted to be discreet about Sandeep Lamichhane's signing

The biggest cricketing extravaganza in India’s calendar, IPL 2018 got underway with the player auction for the same taking place earlier this weekend. While we witnessed some big money spending by the teams, there were a few heavyweights who went unsold as well. Thus with all done and dusted, the teams have acquired their required arsenals in their buildup the mega-event.

Speaking about Delhi Daredevils, the franchise has made some smart buys over the weekend auction. The squad looks lethal on paper and can shape up good in their bid to their maiden title claim. And the franchise might have enjoyed an additional million followers due to the purchase of first ever Nepalese cricketer, Sandeep Lamichanne into their ranks.

The CEO of the franchise, Hemant Dua recently revealed that they were secretly hoping to buy the spinner without being aloud about their intentions. Dua revealed they have been tracking the 20-year old since the Hong Kong Sixes tournament in Kowloon and subsequently in the U-19 World Cup of 2016 in Bangladesh.

Assistant coach Shridharan Sriram and Dua himself were present during Sandeep Lamichanne’s trial which was scheduled a fortnight back at the ground in Dwarka in New Delhi. Unfortunately, overnight rains affected the pitch, and the management could not conduct Sandeep’s trial in the desired location.

Hemant Dua opens up about this exciting prospect

Speaking to Indian Express in an exclusive interview, Dua said, “We then had no option but to take him to an Indoor Sports hub in Gurgaon. The people out there were not ready to permit us to use the balls taken by us as it was there facility. We somehow managed to convince them and made Sandeep Lamichhane bowl. We recorded it on our cell phones. He could effortlessly turn the ball both ways with an effective doosra.”

Referring to the Nepalese cricketer as an ‘uncut diamond’, Dua added, “He was first tracked during the Hong Kong Sixes tournament in Kowloon and also he was impressive during the U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016. We never revealed our interest as we wanted to get him discreetly not because he is from Nepal but because he is a talented cricketer.”

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