Sandeep Lamichhane: A Quiet Comeback to Form

For a long time, Sandeep Lamichhane was silently playing under pressure—from poor form, public criticism, and personal challenges. Known for his glamorous rise in cricket, his recent performances had been underwhelming. Even he likely realized this.

But during Nepal’s recent tour of Scotland for the ICC World Cup League 2, Sandeep turned a new page. Or perhaps, returned to his old rhythm. Nepal won 3 out of 4 matches in the series, and Sandeep played a key role in those victories.

In four matches, he took 6 wickets—3 of them in a single game while conceding just 39 runs. But more than the numbers, what stood out was his ability to bowl under pressure, control the opponent’s scoring, and shift the momentum of matches.

Is Sandeep really back to his best? That question might not last long.

In the first T20I against the Netherlands, Nepal’s batters failed, and the match dragged into a third Super Over. Though Nepal lost, Sandeep bowled brilliantly—giving away only 18 runs and taking 3 wickets in his 4 overs. If Nepal had won, he would have been a clear contender for Player of the Match.

Still, he achieved something remarkable. With 15 wickets in 6 games against the Netherlands at an economy of 7.37, he now ranks 4th on the list of most T20I wickets against the Dutch. Karan KC (Nepal) and George Dockrell (Ireland) are tied at second with 16 wickets each. Sandeep could soon overtake them.

In the second T20I against Scotland, Sandeep was at his destructive best. He took 4 wickets, including a maiden over, conceding just 11 runs in 4 overs. Scotland were bowled out for 97, and Nepal registered a historic win. Sandeep was named Player of the Match—his first such award in nearly one and a half years.

He also became the first Nepali bowler to take 4 wickets in a T20I against Scotland. Beyond records, he once again became a match-winner for the team.

In his T20I career, Sandeep has taken 115 wickets in 60 matches at an economy of 6.06. In ODIs, he has 127 wickets in 60 innings at an economy of 4.48. He also holds the world record for being the fastest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets—achieved in just 42 matches.

Signs of a Reliable Match-Winner Again

Nepal’s national team is currently working on a new strategy. For that plan to succeed, the mix of experience and talent is crucial. One of the reasons for Nepal’s recent struggles has been this imbalance. Sandeep, once a target of criticism, now seems focused on sharpening his skills again.

If he continues this comeback form, he could again lead Nepal’s bowling attack. For opponents, that would be worrying. For Nepal, it brings confidence.

So, is Sandeep truly back in form? The answer isn’t just “yes”—it’s a confident yes. His performance in Scotland wasn’t just a personal comeback, it was a message: that Nepali cricket’s belief and strength are on the rise once again.