Nepal coach Monty Desai opens up on Sandeep Lamichhane's 'frustrating' media trial [Exclusive]

Sandeep Lamichhane was the emerging talent from Nepal who garnered immense limelight at the international level, which seldom happens for an associated nation’s player. But as the cricketer was on his path to discovering more in the game, he was surrounded by a slew of controversies and was alleged in a rape case of a young woman. He was sent into police custody in 2022 after being found guilty with eight years of imprisonment before getting acquitted in May 2024. 

In an exclusive chat with CricTracker, Nepal’s coach, Monty Desai, opined on the media trial Lamichhane underwent throughout the controversy. He also added that the team suffered because of his unavailability at the T20 World Cup 2024. 

“When we talk about cricket, we are also talking about people [humans]. So, when I see these players more closely, I know the kind of things that they go through. [Whether what happened was] right or wrong, I am not supposed to answer that. Even when we brought him in[to the team] last year, it was lawfully done. It was legally done in a correct way. So for us to lose him again later on and then verdict getting in his favour and then to wait for such a long period was a bit frustrating, if I do put that into perspective,” said Desai.

“We were actually excited about having him from day one for our World Cup campaign, which didn't happen. A lot of people are in a rush to be the first one to have our breaking news. What people don't realise is that you are saying something out of frustration. which is, again, not just media, but also fans, right? So, it's not good. It's not good because it has got... Emotions serve purpose. The question is: what purpose?,” he added.

Here's the video of Desai's conversation:

Monty Desai possesses array of coaching expertise

Desai has been the busiest coach from India and has had a terrific portfolio in the coaching arena. His coaching experience includes Head Coach positions with Canada and presently Nepal. He has also coached Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates teams as a batting coach. He joined the West Indies as batting coach in 2019 and served until 2022. He had a stint in IPL with Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions as performance coach and talent scout.