Nepal, a hub for left-arm spinners, has produced legendary players like Basant Regmi and Shakti Gauchan. With both stalwarts now away from the game, a new generation of spinners has emerged. Among them, Lalit Rajbanshi stands out as the country’s top left-arm spinner, closely followed by rising talents like Sagar Dhakal and Shahab Alam. Lalit’s journey to becoming Nepal’s go-to spinner has been extraordinary, marked by resilience and significant transformation.
Hailing from Biratnagar in Eastern Nepal, Lalit has become a key figure in the national cricket team. His rise as a first-choice left-arm spinner coincided with his return from injury and the arrival of head coach Monty Desai. Once a middle-over bowler focused on containing runs, Lalit has evolved into a powerplay specialist, using his skills to challenge aggressive openers and exploit the fielding restrictions effectively.
A Surprising Start
Lalit’s path to cricket was unusual. Before becoming a player, he was a certified umpire. His love for the game led him to switch from officiating to playing. A senior umpire noticed his potential as a bowler and encouraged him to pursue cricket instead of umpiring.
Lalit made his T20 International debut against the Netherlands at Lord’s, though the match was affected by rain. Despite returning figures of 0/25 in three overs, it marked the beginning of his international career. However, inconsistent performances led to a brief break from the national team.
His comeback came during a successful phase for Nepal’s cricket, where the team won 11 out of their last 12 matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, earning a spot in the 2023 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
Impressive International Record
Lalit has played over 50 international matches for Nepal, including 23 T20Is and 34 ODIs, taking 62 wickets in total, 41 in ODIs and 21 in T20Is. His standout performance in the 2023 South Asian Games saw him take six wickets in three matches, including a 3/6 in the bronze medal playoff against the Maldives.
After a year away, Lalit made a comeback to the ODI team on February 14, 2023, against Namibia. Since then, he has been a regular in Nepal’s 50-over side. He also played in the 2023 Asia Cup against India and Pakistan, though he didn’t take a wicket in either match. Lalit was part of Nepal’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June.
Domestic Success
Lalit has also been outstanding in Nepal’s domestic cricket. Playing for Nepal Police Club in the Prime Minister Cup, the top domestic fifty-over competition in Nepal, he has taken 67 wickets in 34 matches at an impressive economy rate of 3.45. He is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
In the ongoing Nepal Premier League, Lalit has been one of the standout performers for Janakpur Bolts. Bought for NPR 15 Lakhs at the auction, he has taken 13 wickets in seven matches, making him the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the competition so far.
A Career Cemented
Lalit’s rise from umpiring to becoming one of Nepal’s leading bowlers highlights his talent and passion for the game. His success in both domestic and international cricket has secured his place in the national team. As he continues to perform well in the Nepal Premier League, Lalit’s impact on Nepalese cricket is set to last for years to come.
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