An Avid Observer

SHAKTI spins a powerful googly! Shakti Gauchan returned from the UAE after his successful performance in the qualifier tournament. He had already packed his bags for his next day’s journey to his hometown, Bhairhawa. Before leaving for home, Shakti set off to meet his relatives living in the capital; but little did he know, he was in for the biggest surprise in his life; of course, a pleasant one. As the hands of the clock struck 5:30 pm, Shakti’s Karbon mobile phone buzzed to reveal an unusual number. A call though unfamiliar, however played the sweetest melody Shakti had ever heard; and delivered a message powerful enough to divert his destination from Bhairahawa to Jaipur, the 'Pink city of India.' It was not an ordinary phone call but a call from the National Cricket team coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who is currently in Canada, thrilled Shakti and left him wondering for some minutes. "I was awestruck. I asked the coach whether he was in Nepal or not? I had ...

Nepali national cricket team’s veteran spinner Shakti Gauchan has been called to join the training camp by Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday evening. The champions of the first edition of IPL, Rajasthan Royals have invited Shakti to join the trial base camp to be held in Nagpur from March 30 to April 5. Shakti is the first Nepali cricketer offered to be a part of the cash-rich league IPL. National Cricket team coach Pubudu Dassanayake is the man behind the curtain for this feat. Dassanayake had referred Shakti to Romi Winder, an associate member of the Rajasthan Royals looking for a quality left hand spinner. Dassanayake suggested Shakti as a qualified candidate to take the place of a left arm spinner. Sharing his excitement with TNP, Shakti said, “My happiness has no bound as this is the first instance of any Nepali players getting a chance to be part of IPL.” Shakti tags this opportunity as a turning point of his career. “This opportunity can ch...

Photo: ICC Nepali national cricket team’s veteran spinner Shakti Gauchan has been called to join the training camp by Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday evening. The champions of the first edition of IPL, Rajasthan Royals have invited Shakti to join the trial base camp to be held in Nagpur from March 30 to April 5. Shakti is the first Nepali cricketer offered to be a part of the cash-rich league IPL. National Cricket team coach Pubudu Dassanayake is the man behind the curtain for this feat. Dassanayake had referred Shakti to Romi Winder, an associate member of the Rajasthan Royals looking for a quality left hand spinner. Dassanayake suggested Shakti as a qualified candidate to take the place of a left arm spinner. Sharing his excitement with TNP, Shakti said, “My happiness has no bound as this is the first instance of any Nepali players getting a chance to be part of IPL.” Shakti tags this opportunity as a turning point of his career. “T...