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The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has brought Sandeep Lamichhane back as Nepal's ODI captain, replacing Rohit Paudel ahead of the ACC Men's Premier Cup. Lamichhane will begin his second stint as ODI captain when Nepal take part in the tournament in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12.
The change comes at a difficult point for Nepal's 50-over cricket. The team has suffered four successive defeats in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, leaving them seventh among eight teams. While Rohit Paudel's tenure as ODI captain has now come to an end, he remains part of the 14-member squad.
Sandeep Lamichhane's return as Nepal ODI captain: Key points
- Sandeep Lamichhane has replaced Rohit Paudel as Nepal's ODI captain.
- Lamichhane previously led Nepal in 14 ODIs in 2022.
- He will begin his second stint as captain at the ACC Men's Premier Cup.
- Rohit Paudel remains part of Nepal's 14-member squad.
- Nepal have lost four successive matches in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2.
- Dipendra Singh Airee continues to handle Nepal's T20I captaincy.
Why has Sandeep Lamichhane replaced Rohit Paudel?
CAN has made the captaincy change after a difficult period for Nepal in ODI cricket, with the team's recent results putting considerable pressure on the leadership setup.
Nepal suffered four consecutive defeats in the World Cup League 2, leaving them seventh out of eight teams. The poor run has added to the pressure surrounding the team's 50-over campaign and created the backdrop for CAN's decision to make a leadership change.
There has also been significant public and media criticism of Rohit Paudel following Nepal's recent struggles, including concerns over team selections and costly mistakes on the field.
However, the captaincy switch should not be treated as Paudel being removed from Nepal's plans altogether. The former captain remains in the squad for the ACC Men's Premier Cup.
The move also continues a split-captaincy model for Nepal. Sandeep Lamichhane will now lead the ODI side, while Dipendra Singh Airee handles the T20I captaincy.
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Rohit Paudel's Nepal captaincy: What his record says
Rohit Paudel had established himself as Nepal's leading ODI captain before CAN handed the role back to Lamichhane.
Paudel led the side in 63 ODI matches between 2022 and 2026, winning 31 and losing 30, with two no-results. That gives him a win percentage of 49.2.
Sandeep Lamichhane, meanwhile, previously captained Nepal in 14 ODIs in 2022, winning four, losing nine and tying one.
| Captain | ODIs | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Paudel | 63 | 31 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 49.2 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 14 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 28.57 |
Sandeep Lamichhane's first captaincy stint ended abruptly in 2022
Lamichhane's first spell as Nepal captain was cut short in 2022 after CAN suspended him following an arrest warrant against him. He was subsequently found guilty by a Kathmandu district court in 2023. The Patan High Court overturned that conviction and acquitted him in 2024, citing a lack of evidence.
The legal episode ultimately brought an abrupt end to his first stint as Nepal's captain, during which he had led the team in 14 ODIs. Now, four years after that first stint, Lamichhane has been handed the ODI captaincy again.
Why Nepal need a reset in ODI cricket
The timing of the captaincy change is important because Nepal's ODI campaign has hit a difficult stretch.
Four consecutive defeats in the World Cup League 2 have left Nepal seventh in the eight-team competition. That poor run has increased the importance of getting the team's 50-over campaign back on track.
Against that backdrop, CAN has chosen to change the person leading the ODI side rather than simply continue with the existing setup. Lamichhane's appointment therefore gives Nepal a fresh leadership option before the ACC Men's Premier Cup.
It also comes with a clear responsibility. Nepal need improved results, and the new captain will have to manage that pressure while also continuing to contribute with the ball. The Premier Cup will consequently be the first real test of whether the leadership change can help Nepal move forward in the 50-over format.
What does Sandeep Lamichhane bring as captain?
Sandeep Lamichhane's biggest advantage is that he remains one of Nepal's most important bowling options. The legspinner has taken 154 wickets in 77 international matches, including career-best ODI figures of 6/11 against Papua New Guinea in September 2021.
His experience also extends well beyond Nepal cricket. Lamichhane has played franchise cricket in competitions including the IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL and BPL, giving him exposure to different teams, players and tactical environments.
That experience could be valuable as he takes charge of an ODI team that already contains several players he knows well.
What happens to Rohit Paudel after losing the ODI captaincy?
The immediate answer is simple: Paudel remains in Nepal's team. He has been included in the 14-member squad for the ACC Men's Premier Cup despite losing the ODI captaincy. He can now concentrate on his batting without carrying the additional responsibility of leading the ODI side.
Also, he remains an important member of the squad and will have the opportunity to contribute as a batter under the new leadership structure.
Sandeep Lamichhane's first assignment as Nepal ODI captain
Sandeep Lamichhane's first assignment will be the ACC Men's Premier Cup in Malaysia, which runs from August 30 to September 12.
It will be his first tournament as Nepal's ODI captain since returning to the role. The tournament therefore comes at an important time for both Lamichhane and Nepal.
For the new captain, it will be the first opportunity to establish his leadership style after several years away from the role. For Nepal, it will be an opportunity to respond to their recent ODI struggles with a new leadership setup.
Nepal's 14-member squad for the ACC Men's Premier Cup
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sandeep Lamichhane | Captain |
| Rohit Paudel | Batter |
| Aasif Sheikh | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Arjun Kumal | Batter |
| Dev Khanal | Batter |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | All-rounder |
| Basir Ahamad | All-rounder |
| Ishan Pandey | Batter |
| Gulshan Kumar Jha | All-rounder |
| Sher Malla | Spinner |
| Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi | Spinner |
| Karan KC | All-rounder |
| Hemant Dhami | Bowler |
| Sundeep Jora | Batter |
What does this leadership change actually mean for Nepal?
Nepal have not simply appointed a new captain. They have returned to a leader who previously held the ODI role before his first stint ended abruptly.
At the same time, Paudel remains in the squad, while Airee continues as the T20I captain. That gives Nepal a different leadership structure across their white-ball teams.
The immediate priority, however, remains the same: results. With Nepal coming off four successive ODI defeats, Lamichhane's return will be judged by what the team does on the field. The ACC Men's Premier Cup will provide the first indication of how this new leadership structure works and whether the change can help Nepal regain momentum in 50-over cricket.
