When Cricket association of Nepal (CAN) announced team for the ACCT20 Cup, Chhetri was one of the two names surprisingly missing – the other being all rounder Shakti Gauchan. Gauchan lost his place to young left arm spinner Rahul Biswokarma while Chhetri lost his position to U-19 team wicket keeper Subash Khakurel. Chhetri’s omission has raised few eyebrows in the cricket fraternity, more so in his hometown Nepalgunj, where his cricketing roots lie.

Subhendhu Pandey, cricketer from Nepalgunj, and Mahesh’s friend was visibly surprised with the omission. “I am shocked, I never thought he will be dropped from the side now”, adding, “Whatever the reason be (to drop him), he will come back strongly in the side.”

Another player from the same region, Anupam Singh says it was unbelievable. “Subendhu messaged me about this, but I didn’t believe in the first place, I thought he must be joking” he added, “But when I my facebook, it became clear. I had to find courage to call Mahesh Dai. Singh further said, “I felt very sad. It’s very shocking decision.”

These reactions clearly indicate the mood of Nepalgunj cricket circle, in the aftermath of Chhetri being dropped.

Mahesh Chhetri, who played since 2006 for Nepal’s national side continuously, was the part of Nepal’s U-19 World Cup 2006 team, which went on to win the plate championship.

He considered a fantastic player in 50 overs cricket, but his role in the newest format of the cricket, the T20 is under scanner. L B Chhetri, former national player, believes Mahesh has quality to bounce back. L B says “If this decision is made only for T20, where team needs pinch hitter like Khakurel, it’s OK. But if the same is done for longer formats like 50 over and three day matches, then team’s performance will suffer. Chhetri is very good in those formats.”

Coach Pubudu Dasanayake is seen instrumental in dropping Chhetri and bringing in Khakurel. As a coach, that too, new to the given role, Dassanayake had to go for a player who would give explosive start to the team. And here, Chhetri is considered ‘slow’. However, Khakurel lacks the experience that Chhetri has, having played for close to 5 years for national team.

This way, the tournament is likely to be an acid test, not only for Chhetri’s replacement, Khakurel, but also for coach Dassanayake.

Despite all this, Mahesh Chhetri appears strong, and positive. The day he reached Nepalgunj, following his ouster, he asked his friends to come for a practice in the evening. Talking about the decision, he said “It’s just a tour missed. I have age, time, experience and spirit. I will be back in the team more determined and stronger.” He added “the fustration of being left out motivates me stronger.”

Determination… This is perhaps why this boy from Nepalgunj has been in team for half a decade. And if he manages it well, Nepalgunj would be proud of him.

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Eighteen girls are in training, fighting for a place in the final 14 for the national team for the event scheduled to be held in Malaysia from July 3 to 11.

For the first time in the short history of women”s cricket, Nary will not be commanding as skipper after being replaced with Ritu Kanoujiya. However, Dias thinks this will not deter players from giving their best.

“I always ask Nary to join me whenever I talk to Ritu and vice captain Nitu Thapa because she is a senior player and knows the game well,” Dias said, adding that the girls are doing well.

“Once the final 14 is selected, it will be much easier to work on the specific sector,” he told Republica. “I am very optimistic towards Maya Rawat, Nary, Ritu and Nitu in batting.”

However, Nepal”s strength is bowling and Dias is hopeful of matchwinning performances from Sonu Khadka, Neera Rajopadhyay, Ambika Budhathoki and Nary. “If they just bowl in line and don”t give away many wide runs, we will win the tournament,” Dias said.

Nepal is in Group A along with Thailand, Singapore, Qatar, Bhutan and Iran. In Group B, host Malaysia is pitted against Hong Kong, the UAE, China, Kuwait and Oman. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.

“Our main opponents can be hosts Malaysia or Hong Kong,” Dias speculated. “But I won”t be surprised if China pull out some unpredictable results.”

Cricket is now an official game in China”s 2010 Asian Games, and the top three teams in the tournament leaving China will qualify for the Games. As hosts, China have confirmed berth along with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“Our team is stronger than ever,” claimed Pandey. “We got 22 days in closed-camp and players are confident.”

However, Pandey confirmed that wicket-keeping needs more attention. Saraswati Lamgade and Jyoti Pandey are two wicketkeepers in the squad. Mamata Thapa, who played for Nepal in the ACC Women”s Cricket Cup held in 2007 in Malaysia was left out this time.

Pandey defended the decision saying that Mamata performed poorly in the 5th National Games.

In its two international appearances, the Nepali women team has performed good cricket. They were runners-up in the inaugural ACC Women”s Cricket Tournament held in Malaysia in 2007, losing the final to Bangladesh and the champions in the ACC U-19 Women”s Cricket Tournament 2008 in Thailand.

Nepal is favorite to win the tournament but it”s a difficult prediction to make because the team has not played much cricket – international or domestic. Malaysia and Singapore trained hard, playing a three-match friendly series, while China wants to show its strength.

Former Indian international Mamtha Maben is coaching the Chinese side and recently said she would go to Malaysia with the aim of winning the cup. “I have heard that Hong Kong and Nepal are very good sides,” she said in an interview.

Ritu is willing to give the nation something in her first stint as captain. “We are working hard and we will win,” Ritu said. “We need to improve in our fielding, ground as well as air, and apart from that I don”t see any problem in our team.”

Nepali women”s cricket climbed to new heights in a very short period, it will be more difficult now to remain in that position as others are also not far behind. The ACC Women”s Twenty20 Cricket Championship will be an acid test for them, the success providing them a unprecedented highlight as well as an opportunity in a lifetime to play against Test teams in Asia.

(As published in Republica & myrepublica.com / Photos by Bikash Karki)

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