Sandeep Lamichhane Reflects on Nepal's Historic Win Over West Indies and His Spin Journey

In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, Nepal's prominent leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane shared insights into his cricketing evolution, the landmark T20I series victory against West Indies, and his preparations for upcoming challenges, including the T20 World Cup in India.

Lamichhane revealed how he transitioned from medium-pace bowling to leg-spin, a move that propelled him into Nepal's cricket scene. "It wasn't that difficult but so many people don't even know that I started bowling medium pace before becoming a leg spinner," he said. He explained that the scarcity of leg-spinners in Nepal made it an opportune path. "Because there was no one in Nepal who bowled leg spin. It was really easy for me to get into the system as a leg spinner, if I bowled really well," Lamichhane added.

His early days in gully cricket were instrumental, where he experimented with various styles. "I played a lot of gully cricket and in gully cricket it's really hard to get a batter out. You need to use all your tricks. Sometimes I used to bowl left-arm spin, sometimes off-spin, sometimes medium pace, and then when you see there is no way of picking the wickets, there's always one thing left, which is leg spin," he recounted. Upon joining clubs in Chitwan, he professionally honed this skill, recognizing it as a unique opportunity.

Comparing himself to cricket legends, Lamichhane positioned his style between Shane Warne's classical flighted deliveries and Rashid Khan's quicker pace. "So, you know, somewhere between Shane Warne and Rashid Khan, if you adjust yourself there, that should be a great thing," he stated. He highlighted the evolution of pitches and batter awareness, noting, "The wickets are so flat these days... Batters are aware of what you're going to bowl, technology has changed, lot of analysts are there who keep an eye on every single delivery you bowl."

When facing T20's biggest hitters, Lamichhane emphasized simplicity and rhythm. "I just try and keep things really, really simple, try to follow the basics and keep on doing spot bowling as much as possible. I keep on bowling in the nets as much as possible so that I stay in good rhythm, good shape, and be prepared for the next game," he shared. He also relies on technology and analysts: "First thing I do is stay on my strengths, and then second, if I match my strengths to the weakness of the batters, that's a perfect combination. And then I go to analysts and try to sit with them and look at the videos."

The T20I series win over West Indies holds immense significance for Nepal cricket. "For the whole of Nepal and for Associate Cricket, it was a big thing. I get very proud whenever I think about it and whenever I see how the boys actually played and gave their 100%," Lamichhane expressed. He believes it signals Nepal's upward trajectory: "And that definitely shows where Nepal cricket is heading. It is just growing every single time we get an opportunity. And definitely in near future, we look forward to some other Test playing nations to invite us or come to Nepal and have a bilateral series or triangular series."

Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup in India, where Nepal will play all four games at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Lamichhane is optimistic despite spinner-unfriendly conditions. "Conditions definitely are not going to favour the spinners. But if you stay there and try to maximize whatever opportunities come to you and win the game for the side, everyone will definitely notice you. And that's definitely going to excite you as a cricket player," he concluded.