Sandesh Sigdel, Kathmandu
The Monday morning of October 30 was meant to be a joyous occasion for the Nepali Cricketing fraternity with the commencement of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Finals in Kathmandu. Nepal’s fortress, TU Cricket Ground, was all set to host the home side’s fixture against Singapore.
But after the toss, Nepal were hit with a big blow in the warm-ups. Dipendra Singh Airee had to be taken out of the playing XI and rushed to the hospital after an apparent ankle injury he suffered. Bibek Yadav took his place but for many, Dipendra’s place cannot be filled with any cricketer. He is that special.
And the injury he suffered before the biggest cricketing occasion in Nepal’s history is all set to sideline him for some time.
The last time Nepal were close to repeating the World Cup heroics was back in 2022. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier A held in Oman also saw Nepal plagued with injuries. Nepal were without the services of pace duo Karan KC and Sompal Kami. Sharad Veskwakar was also replaced by Kushal Malla midway through the tournament. Such is Nepal’s fortune in big events- always missing important players going into crucial tournaments.
History repeated but in front of a home crowd this time. The home crowd was eager to see the Rhinos in action with Dipendra as the heartbeat of this team. “Heartbeat”, this word is ideal at this moment in time in describing Dipendra in the Nepali team. He was doing it all.
Before the Asian Games, Dipendra faced scrutiny over his spot in the team due to his lackluster ODI performances. His stint in the World Cricket League Two was forgettable, managing only 394 runs in 31 innings at an average of 14.89. The ODI World Cup global qualifiers showcased a slight improvement with 161 runs at an impressive average of 94.
However, a dismal Premier Cup followed, where he mustered just 24 runs in four matches. Despite his struggles with the bat, he proved his worth as a bowler, taking 36 wickets in 46 innings with an outstanding economy of 3.95 overall.
In ODIs, Dipendra’s potential was hindered by constant shuffling in the batting order, ranging from number three to seven or even eight. This inconsistency prevented him from finding his rhythm. However, the T20 format revealed a different side of him.
Dipendra is Nepal’s leading T20I run-scorer, crossing the 1000-run mark with 1344 runs in 46 innings, boasting an impressive strike rate of 141.77 throughout his career. Additionally, he showcased his bowling prowess in T20Is, claiming 25 wickets in 28 innings at an economy rate of 6.15, with a striking average of 18.3.
Dipendra’s recent form has gained global recognition, particularly after his stellar performance at the Asian Games in China. There, he achieved a remarkable strike rate of 333.33, breaking the record for the fastest fifty in T20s with just nine deliveries while also taking three wickets. His exceptional display continued in the Tri-Series in Kathmandu, where he scored 151 runs in four innings at a striking rate of 173.56.
However, Dipendra’s impact goes beyond mere statistics. He is an unparalleled fielder- the “gun fielder” in the Nepali side. His defining moment came in the final of the Tri-Series against the UAE, where he showcased his brilliance with a stunning run-out of Vriitya Aravind. Nepal will not only miss their most in-form batter and a brilliant T20 bowler but also an exemplary fielder in the upcoming Qualifiers.
The team is now thinking to ‘gift’ world cup berth to Dipendra. Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane took the opportunity after Nepal booked their semifinal spot in the qualifier to further emphasize importance of Dipendra in Nepal’s team. He also said the team is trying to pull him up and make sure they’ll make the journey to the premier world tournament to be held in West Indies and USA next year. He said it clear, ‘We want to gift the world cup spot to Dippi’.
