IPL 2018: Twitter hails Sandeep Lamichhane's inclusion in the eleven

Nepal cricket isn’t a big name amongst the big daddies of the game. However, the sport in the nation has grown leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. Sandeep Lamichhane isn’t a renowned name but has made the headlines owing to his wily leg-breaks. Quite expectantly, he was drafted into the list of participating cricketers for the auction of the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He had a base price of 20 lakhs and was roped in by the Delhi Daredevils (DD). The occasion turned out to be a massive moment for Nepal as the tweaker became the first cricketer from the country to have been picked to play in the cash-rich tournament. However, he wasn’t considered in the playing eleven, mostly due to the presence of more established stars in their lineup.

The proud moment for Lamichhane

The Daredevils played their last match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and slumped to a defeat by nine wickets. Subsequently, they were also eliminated from the tournament. Delhi is currently playing against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. Shreyas Iyer’s boys don’t have anything to lose and were expected to make some experiments.

The franchise made as many as three changes and to Sandeep’s delight, he eventually found a place in the lineup. Delhi were inconsistent to start with and lost a few matches, which didn’t help their cause of staying afloat in the tournament. Gautam Gambhir resigned from captaincy and Iyer was appointed as the new skipper.

The decision changed the face of their cricket. They played some stupendous cricket, however, couldn’t save themselves from getting ousted from the T20 league. Following the inclusion of Sandeep Lamichhane, Twitter couldn’t hold themselves back and heaped praises on the young spunk from Nepal.

Here are the reactions from Twitterati

#Modi effect:

He was in #Nepal yesterday and one of their player has got a game to play in @IPL today #DDvRCB #IPL18 pic.twitter.com/ogZg5lLYwe

— Abhishek Shekhawat (@abhi07cricket) May 12, 2018

It is all about stories and @IamSandeep25 is a brilliant story. What a moment for him. Well done @DelhiDaredevils for giving him a game. You should be happy @MClarke23 This is why @IPL is good for the game.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 12, 2018

Sandeep Lamichhane's debut means players from 13 nations have now played n the IPL. That's the top 10 Test-playing nations, Afghanistan, Nepal and….who else?

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 12, 2018

Last 2 day PM Narendra Modi was in Nepal & today Sandeep Lamichhane of Nepal becomes first player to play in IPL…#Nepal #IPL #RCBvDD @mohanstatsman

— Dilip Singh (@Statsdilip) May 12, 2018

My little buddy @IamSandeep25 gets his first opportunity in the IPL. What an amazing story ?

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) May 12, 2018

Lets hope he has done well.. Pup you have paid for him to be at your camps in OZ.. proud day for Nepal ! https://t.co/V1TutEGzEq

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) May 12, 2018

Youngest overseas players on IPL debut:

17y 011d Mujeeb ur Rahman (2018)
17y 283d S LAMICHHANE (2018)
18y 170d M Marsh (2010)
18y 197d Rashid Khan (2017)#DDvRCB #IPL2018

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) May 12, 2018

.@MClarke23 must be the happiest person at the moment. @IamSandeep25 #IPL pic.twitter.com/9JMP4I2e13

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) May 12, 2018

All the best @IamSandeep25 Give your best

— Sharad Vesawkar (@SharadCric) May 12, 2018

To make the night all the more memorable for @IamSandeep25 Lamichhane on his IPL debut for @DelhiDaredevils, his mentor @MClarke23, or as Sandy calls him "the legend", is in the IPL commentary box for tonight's match against RCB.

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) May 12, 2018

What a day for cricket, Ireland making TEST debut with a huge impact and Sandeep Lamichhane making an IPL debut by any Nepali player against my BEST team. #IREvPAK #DDvRCB #RCB #DD

— Manoj Ghimire (@themanojgh) May 12, 2018

Good luck @IamSandeep25 for the first appearance in IPL INSHALLAH you will rock ????

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) May 12, 2018

Delhi Daredevils give a chance to two teenagers Sandeep Lamichhane and Abhishek Sharma. Junior Dala too makes his IPL debut.
Sandeep Lamichhane becomes the first player from Nepal to play the IPL#DDvRCB@DelhiDaredevils

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 12, 2018