Elated parents of Sandeep Lamichhane to visit India for IPL 2018

Young 17-year old Sandeep Lamichhane made the headlines after becoming the first Nepalese cricketer to be on the Indian Premier League (IPL) roster. At the IPL 2018 auctions, the Delhi Daredevils roped in the talented leg break bowler. Now that Sandeep has a very good chance of playing in the tournament, his parents are willing to travel to India more often. In fact, his parents have started following Indian cricket more than ever before now.

As per the recent reports in PakObserver, Chander Narayan Lamichhane, father of Sandeep Lamichhane, mentioned that they intend to visit India during the IPL. Interestingly, the connection of the Lamichhane family with India is not new. Sandeep’s father worked in the India railways for over four decades.

“We are planning to visit India during the IPL season. After the inclusion of my son in the IPL team, we have been following Indian cricket more than the game here in Nepal. I had served in Indian railways for 45 years in Delhi. Was a class IV employee and was promoted to class III before I opted for the voluntary retirement,” Sandeep’s father quoted.

Also, Sandeep’s brother, Mohan, works in the Indian railways too. “We have recently shifted to Chitwan but keep coming to India often. My other son, Mohan, who also played cricket at club level is in Indian railways in Delhi”, he added.

Meanwhile, Kopila Devi, mother of Sandeep Lamichhane, remarked that she wanted her son to be an engineer or a doctor. But watching her son’s interest in the game, they decided to let him pursue his dreams. “We wanted Sandeep to be a doctor or an engineer but Hhe wanted to concentrate more on cricket and we encouraged him. There is no pressure on him and we respect his love for the game,” she remarked.

On Michael Clarke funding Sandeep Lamichhane

It is very well known that Sandeep groomed under the watchful eyes of Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain. Speaking about the same, she noted that Clarke saw Sandeep in Hong Kong. Knowing about the poor financial background of Sandeep, Clarke arranged almost three months stay for Sandeep in Australia. In Nepal, the youngster was spotted by former Sri Lankan cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake.

“Clarke saw him in Hong-Kong sixes tournament and my son explained him about our financial condition. Clarke immediately arranged for his more than 2 1/2 month stay in Australia, where Sandeep learnt more about the bowling in his academy,” she quoted.

“People here in Nepal call him Nepal’s Shane Warne. His talent was first spotted by former Sri Lankan player Pubudu Dassanayake. I had seen the auction live here and was not surprised. Delhi team was determined to hire him even if had he gone on bids by the other teams,” the dad concluded.

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