IPL Auctions 2018: Nepal flavor added to the Daredevils camp, 17-year-old bags a deal

The official social media handle of the Daredevils welcomed their new star from Nepal with a tweet.

Published - 28 Jan 2018, 14:33 IST | Updated - 28 Jan 2018, 14:33 IST

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The IPL 2018 Auctions is making some big news. There are veterans going unsold and the young colts are grabbing mega deals. The Afghanistani players are stealing the limelight too. And now, Nepal flavor has been added to the IPL roster. Sandeep Lamichhane has become the first Nepalese to bag an IPL contract. This comes as a very big news for the Nepal Cricket and Nepal Cricket fans.

Cricket has been a growing sport in the Asian nation. They have made some significant strides at the global level. And now, with Sandeep Lamichhane bagging an IPL contract, the sport is only going to get more popular in the county. Lamichhane is a 17-year old leg break googly bowler. He has played 9 matches for his country already.

During the ICC U19 World Cup in 2016 in Bangladesh, Sandeep Lamichhane had emerged as the second highest wicket takerin the competition. He had bagged 14 wickets with a best of 5/27 in a match against the Ireland U19. In the IPL 2018 auctions, he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for his base price of INR 20 lakh. The official social media handle of the Daredevils welcomed their new star from Nepal with a tweet.

“The first Nepali player in the history of the Vivo IPL! It gives us great pleasure to welcome the 17-year-old leg-spinner @IamSandeep25 into the #DDSquad!” tweeted the Delhi Daredevils camp.

The first Nepali player in the history of the Vivo IPL! It gives us great pleasure to welcome the 17-year-old leg-spinner @IamSandeep25 into the #DDSquad!#IPLAuction #DilDilli
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) January 28, 2018

The Delhi Daredevils team owner, Hemant Dua, also welcomed Sandeep Lamichhane on the Delhi Daredevils roster. He called Nepal as the ‘lovely neighbours’ of India.

“Welcome to the @DelhiDaredevils family #SandeepLamichane first player from #Nepal to join #VivoIPL in the #IPLAuction #DilDilli for our lovely neighbours … @StarSportsIndia,” Hemant Dua tweeted.

Welcome to the @DelhiDaredevils family #SandeepLamichane first player from #Nepal to join #VivoIPL in the #IPLAuction #DilDilli for our lovely neighbours … @StarSportsIndia
— Hemant Dua (@inspiranti) January 28, 2018

In the good books of Michael Clarke

It is worth noting that Lamichhane has also trained under former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke. As per the quotes in News18, Michael Clarke had hailed Sandeep’s potential as a young cricketer. “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 quoted last year.

Here is how cricketers and fans reacted to the maiden IPL contract of Sandeep Lamichhane:

Now a player from NEPAL …17 yr old Sandeep Lamichhane gets an IPL Deal … Great to see … 10 Team World Cup #Nonsense
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 28, 2018

Congratulations to @IamSandeep25 https://t.co/muGetc0f3B
— Krishna Bhattarai (@KrissBhattarai) January 28, 2018

Looks like Michael Clarke got in Ricky Ponting's ear. Nepal leggie Sandeep Lamichhane @IamSandeep25 bought by Delhi
Daredevils for base price of 20 lakhs. First Nepalese player in IPL history. Only current Associate too.
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) January 28, 2018

Sandeep Lamichhane, 17 year old legspinner from Nepal, is now an IPL player. Brilliant
— Tim (@timwig) January 28, 2018

By spending 20 lacs, DD didn't just secure services of Sandeep Lamichhane, first Nepali player to be a part of the league, but also added around 3 cr fans to their fan base. Now this is what we call a smart investment. #IPLAuction #IPL2018
— Chinmay Jawalekar ?? ? (@CricfreakTweets) January 28, 2018

Wow ! What a historic moment @IamSandeep25 in IPL @DelhiDaredevils. Congratulations all ! #DreamsComeTrue
— Bhawana Ghimire (@BhawanaCAN) January 28, 2018

Nepali Shane Warne Sandeep Lamichhane will be playing IPL for Delhi Daredevils – Congratulations
— Agne Thapa (@AgneThapa) January 28, 2018

Loveliest moment in this auction. Sandeep Lamichhane becomes first Nepal player to be part of the IPL, or for that matter, any international league #IPL2018Auction
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 28, 2018

I am @ChennaiIPL fan but Sandeep Lamichhane entry in @DelhiDaredevils has made be fan of Delhi too this time in #IPL2018 . I am happy if either of them win. #IPL #IPLAuction2018
— Ramesh Zero (@imramess) January 28, 2018

The man behind all these things!!@MClarke23 thanks buddy.@IamSandeep25 first player from #Nepal set to play in #VIVOIPL
— Aashimghimire (@aashimghimire) January 28, 2018

Sandeep Lamichhane the first one to enter IPL from Nepal has made us proud. I will definitely cheer for him. Hope he gets some games. This time my second favorite is @DelhiDaredevils ???
— Ramesh Zero (@imramess) January 28, 2018