Lumbini Lions are the team that have experienced both failure and success in the first two editions of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), finishing bottom in the inaugural season before making a remarkable comeback to lift the title in the second.
Led by former national team captain Rohit Paudel and backed by a strong group of overseas players, Lumbini transformed their fortunes in the second edition. Having learned from their disappointing first season, they improved their performance and emerged as champions.
With the third edition approaching, Lumbini Lions have begun preparations to defend their title, retaining key players and their head coach while continuing to strengthen the squad with overseas signings.
The franchise also organised the Red Paltan Championship ahead of the third season, providing young cricketers from Lumbini Province with an opportunity to showcase their talent.
Lumbini’s title-winning campaign last season was far from straightforward. After winning just one of their opening four matches, they faced the prospect of an early exit from the league.
They began with a victory over Chitwan Rhinos but subsequently lost three consecutive matches against Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gorkhas and Sudurpaschim Royals.
However, Lumbini Lions staged an impressive recovery, winning their final three league matches against Pokhara Avengers, Biratnagar Kings and Janakpur Bolts. They finished fourth with eight points from seven matches to secure a place in the playoffs.
As the lowest-ranked team among the four playoff qualifiers, Lumbini faced a difficult path to the title. But they maintained their momentum, defeating Kathmandu Gorkhas in the eliminator and Biratnagar Kings in the second qualifier to reach the final.
Sudurpaschim Royals had already secured their second consecutive final appearance, but Lumbini denied them the chance to win the title after finishing runners-up in the inaugural edition. Lumbini defeated Sudurpaschim by six wickets in the final to complete their remarkable turnaround.
Retaining the championship core
Lumbini Lions have retained seven Nepali players from their title-winning squad for the third edition, including captain Rohit Paudel, Sher Malla, Sandeep Jora, Tilak Bhandari, Abhishek Gautam, Dinesh Adhikari and Dilip Nath.
These players played important roles in the championship campaign. Sher Malla was among the leading wicket-takers, claiming 17 wickets to share the tournament’s top spot.
The franchise have also retained three overseas players who contributed to their title-winning run — Australia’s D’Arcy Short, Namibia’s Ruben Trumpelmann and Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella.
Maintaining continuity among their key players should help Lumbini preserve the team chemistry that proved crucial to their success last season.
They have also retained Indian coach Tinu Yohannan, who guided the side to the championship in the second edition.
Lumbini Lions’ squad appears well balanced, with the arrival of Nepal opener Aasif Sheikh expected to address concerns at the top of the batting order.
Aasif is expected to open alongside Australian batter D’Arcy Short, while Paudel and Jora will provide options in the middle order alongside Dickwella.
With three overseas slots still to fill, Lumbini could look to add a finisher or an all-rounder to further strengthen their batting and provide additional flexibility.
Their bowling attack already features Nepali spinners Sher Malla, Tilak Bhandari and Abhishek Gautam, while Trumpelmann will lead the overseas pace options.
Adding another medium pacer and an all-rounder could further improve the balance of the defending champions.
A lucky auction haul
Lumbini Lions have strengthened their squad through the auction as well as retaining their championship core.
Aasif Sheikh’s release by Janakpur Bolts attracted considerable attention, with several franchises attempting to secure the Nepal opener at the auction. Seven teams placed bids, with Chitwan Rhinos the exception, before a lucky draw awarded Aasif to Lumbini.
The signing gives Lumbini Lions an experienced domestic opener and could help resolve a weakness in their batting order.
Lumbini also secured former Janakpur players Kishore Mahato and Araniko Yadav through the auction, with Mahato joining the franchise after another lucky draw.
The Lions have additionally signed young medium pacer Durgesh Gupta, who was part of the franchise during the first two editions, and Ajay Chauhan, another young player from Lumbini Province.
With a largely unchanged championship core, a strengthened opening combination and further overseas recruitment still possible, Lumbini will enter the third edition aiming to show that their title-winning campaign was the beginning of a sustained run of success rather than a one-season turnaround.
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