Nepal’s star leg-spinner and former captain Sandeep Lamichhane has decided not to be part of the Cricket Association of Nepal’s (CAN) central contract for this term. He announced his decision through a lengthy social media post on Wednesday afternoon, stating that it was a step toward his personal and professional growth—not a move away from cricket or the national team.
“This Is Not Me Leaving the Game or My Country”
Sandeep Lamichhane clarified that he remains fully committed to Nepal cricket. He reassured fans that his love for the game and dedication to the national team will never fade. According to him, this is simply a different path to enhance his career, not a sign of conflict or disengagement.
Speculations and Reactions
His announcement has triggered a wave of mixed reactions among fans and cricket analysts. Some believe the decision is a publicity stunt, while others suggest Lamichhane may be unhappy with CAN or feel isolated within the team. However, such speculations appear to be unfounded.
This isn’t the first time a player has continued representing their country despite not holding a central contract. The difference here is that Lamichhane himself chose to step away from the agreement—while in other cases, players were simply not offered contracts.
A Common Global Trend
Around the world, several top-level cricketers have made similar decisions. For example:
- Kane Williamson of New Zealand recently gave up his central contract and white-ball captaincy to manage his workload and explore other opportunities.
- Trent Boult, also from New Zealand, was released from his contract at his own request to focus more on family and franchise cricket.
- Jason Roy from England gave up his ECB contract to play in the US-based Major League Cricket, but confirmed he’s still committed to England’s national side.
- Marcus Stoinis of Australia has continued to represent his country at the highest level despite not being under a central contract.
- Shreyas Iyer of India was excluded from the BCCI’s 2024 contract list but returned in 2025 after a strong season.
These examples show that opting out of a central contract does not mean a player will stop playing for their country. It’s often a strategic or personal decision.
No Need for Overanalysis
In Lamichhane’s case, some believe he has already earned enough financially and might be stepping away to reduce CAN’s financial burden. Others say it could be frustration over not being made captain. However, unless Lamichhane himself chooses to speak more on the matter, these remain assumptions.
The real reasons behind his decision are best known to him. What matters most is that he’s still ready and willing to represent Nepal, and his fans should support him in this new phase of his journey.
