India’s assistance for kindling cricketing scenario in Nepal

Kathmandu: The relationship between Nepal and India is very old. Food, lifestyle, language, culture, and customs are closely related to Nepal and India in many ways. Nepal and India are also connected by music and culture. At the same time, sports have become another link to connect two nations recently.

In recent times, cricket has shown hope to connect in Nepal and India. Cricket is equally popular in both of the nations. The cricket craze can be seen in both countries. Even the Indian nationals are eyeing the evolving cricket scenario in Nepal.

After the debut of Nepali Bowler Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the growth in the cricketing relationship between Nepal and India was felt. The open borders between the two nations have also favored the smooth relationship. The evolving cricketing scenario in Nepal is also flourishing the friendship with India.

However, Nepal is far behind in terms of cricket infrastructure. Although the national cricket team of Nepal is preparing to participate in the T-20 World Cup for the second time, the nation lacks a well-equipped cricket stadium. With the 1-2 crore of an annual budget separated by the government, it might take decades to build a cricket stadium.

During the last visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to India, it was mentioned that India was optimistic about helping to construct Phapla Cricket Stadium in Dhangadhi, as per the proposal of Nepal. Apart from Phapla, Nepal can also expect assistance from India by making a good proposal for the construction of cricket stadiums.

In December 2023 India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar came to Nepal for a high-level meeting. Captain Rohit Paudel said that External Affairs Minister Jaishankar gave committment to provide the Indian cricket ground as a ‘home ground’ to the cricketers of Nepal.

The pictures posted on social media by Jaishankar, reflect his priority towards the cricket team of Nepal. He was seen as happy with the Nepali cricket team and CAN officials.

Ajay Phuyal, Managing Editor of sports online news portal kheladi.com, says that there should be a formal relationship between the Board of Control for the Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). If that happens, he believes that India can provide various kinds of assistance to Nepal.

‘Our players can take inspiration from Indian cricket. If they get to play in the India ground, even if they get to play in the tournaments, they will learn a lot, ‘said Phuyal, ‘It will be a huge support if Nepali players sign a contract with the Indian team.’

BCCI has supported a lot in cricket around the world. He believes that he can help a lot in the structure of Nepali cricket. During the visit, Jaishankar met the team including captain Paudel, and promised to help with cricket. He also encouraged Nepal by promising to support Nepal as it prepares to play the T-20 World Cup to be held in June.

Sports journalist Binod Pandey credits South Asian cricket to India. He believes that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan’s cricket is in its current state because of the support of Indian cricket.

He says that if Nepali players are allowed to play in India’s domestic cricket tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy, Nepalese cricket can reach great heights. ‘Nepali cricket is still lagging in terms of exposure, India is a huge market for it’, journalist Pandey says, ‘Furthermore, if the Cricket Board of India (BCCI) supports the preparation of the Nepali team financially as well as in training, Nepali cricket can take a big leap in terms of competition. ‘

Pawan Aggarwal, the former captain of the Nepali national team, says that it was very positive for Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar to meet the players. ‘It is a very good job to meet us. There is a little bit of hope in that,’ he said. ‘There are many things that India can help Nepal with. We have to move forward to break the ice. The relationship should be gradually increased.’

Experienced sports journalist Binod Pandey sees the relationship between Nepal and India as distant from the perspective of cricket. He suspects that because India’s cricket is at a much higher level than Nepal’s, they are not able to take it together even if they want to. Journalist Pandey, who understands cricket in-depth, says, ‘On the other hand, the relationship between Nepal and India is only as a neighbor due to the many weaknesses of the Nepal Cricket Association in the past. Since Nepal has been a one-day international recognized country since 2018, India now has an easy opportunity to increase relations with Nepal.’

Now, Agarwal suggests that Nepali cricket should focus on exposure visits to India. ‘The national team, the under nineteen team can create an environment to play matches with the good team of India. Another thing is that India can help in the construction of physical infrastructure. The Nepalese team needs an academy facility in India,’ he says, ‘just as Nepal is developing in cricket, cricket diplomacy is also necessary.’

Captain Rohit Paudel says he was very happy to meet the Indian Foreign Minister. He said that there was also talk about the support from BCCI in the coming days and that giving India a home ground is a big thing. He said it before we said anything. ‘In my opinion, BCCI has a big role in Afghanistan’s progress in cricket in ten years. They gave home ground to Afghanistan,’ says Rohit.

Jaishankar has not disclosed the location of the home ground that will be provided to the Nepali cricket team. According to captain Paudel, home ground has a great impact on cricket. There you can play in different situations. There are different wickets. It is a big advantage to play with the team there. Rohit linked their chances with Afghanistan’s progress.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also provides sports materials to the national cricket team from time to time.

Journalist Pandey says that apart from religious, cultural, and historical ties, cricket can become a new soft power to make the relationship between the two countries cordial. ‘When India’s relations with South Asian countries (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives) are not stable, Nepali land can be promoted as a neutral ground and the relations between Nepal and India can be strengthened through cricket,’ he says.

Editor Phuyal says that even though the neighboring country with open borders is in the leading position in the world, Nepal has not been able to take advantage of it. Because of cricket, it can be linked economically and politically.

Former captain Pawan Agarwal sees the possibility that Nepal can benefit greatly from India in cricket. ‘Geographically, Nepal and India are near, We should be able to take more benefits, ‘said Agrawal, ‘India is a superpower of cricket. We also have access. However, we have not been able to enjoy the facilities and benefits there.’

Meanwhile, there is a possibility that BCCI will train Nepal’s senior national team in Delhi and create an environment to play some practice matches before the T20 World Cup in America in June. CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand, Secretary Paras Khadka, and others met BCCI Secretary Jai Shah in Delhi on Friday and asked for support for the Nepali cricket team. It is said that during the meeting, Shah asked Chand to submit a concrete draft regarding the cooperation of BCCI. President Chand proposed to conduct a training camp before the World Cup and to play practice matches with the senior state team.

According to the news, after sending it to the BCCI in the form of a written proposal, Shah assured that he would provide the necessary support. CAN has also mentioned that the discussion was positive and that India has assured support in terms of sports infrastructure before the World Cup.