IPL 2018: Analysis of Nepal star Sandeep Lamichhane's performance for Delhi Daredevils against Mumbai Indians

Ajit Vijaykumar 19:53 20/05/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Delhi Daredevils leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane finished his inaugural IPL campaign with a splendid performance against the Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday.

    The 17-year-old Nepalese leg-spinner took three top order wickets (3-32) to break the back of Mumbai Indians’ batting. Lamichhane opened the bowling and didn’t flinch despite being targeted by Mumbai opener Suryakumar Yadav.

    Lamichhane deceived Yadav in the opening over to have him caught at long-on while he also accounted for the scalps of the dangerous Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya to finish the season on a high.

    It was just the third match of the tournament for the teenager but he has only gotten better with each outing.

    STATISTICS

    OVERS: 4

    WICKETS: 3

    RUNS CONCEDED: 36

    ECONOMY: 9.00

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Lamichhane didn’t get affected by the attacking style of Mumbai opener Suryakumar Yadav. The opening batsman hit the spinner for a four and a six off the first two balls of the innings but the Lamichhane hit back in the same over, getting the batsman to miscue a leg-side shot towards long on.

    In his next over, he got two big scalps. Pollard mishit the spinner down the ground where tag-team work by fielders Glenn Maxwell and Trent Boult accounted for the West Indian. And in the same over, Lamichhane got Krunal to miscue a drive towards cover off a googly. Job done.

    GOT RIGHT

    Lamichhane was attacked the first two balls he bowled but he didn’t take a step back. He continued to try out his variations and got his reward in the first over with he help of a googly. He complemented the other leg-spinner in the attack – Amit Mishra (3-19) – brilliantly and it were his crucial wickets at the top that kept Delhi ahead. Mumbai eventually lost by just 11 runs, which make his dismissals of Pollard and Krunal even more crucial. His final over went for just four runs, which was brilliant.

    GOT WRONG

    If anything, his run rate was on the higher side. Leg-spinner Mishra went for just 19 runs, which makes Lamichhane’s analysis look a bit expensive. However, on its own it was a superb effort from the Nepal spinner compared to Mishra who is one of the all-time leading wicket-takers in IPL.

    The teenager has a bright future ahead and his three games in IPL will hold him in good stead.

    VERDICT: 8.5/10

    Another brilliant showing from Lamichhane. The young spinner proved beyond doubt that Delhi made a mistake by not fielding him earlier in the tournament, especially when their qualification hopes were alive. Leg-spinners have ruled the roost this IPL and Lamichhane would have given Delhi the extra edge along with Mishra. It’s lesson learnt for the Daredevils and a shot in the arm for Lamichhane and Nepal cricket.

    Recommended