Nepal Premier League 2025: Teams Lock in Stars, Purses Set for a Thrilling Draft
!
The battle for the 2025 Nepal Premier League (NPL) title has officially begun! With the player retention window now closed, all eight franchises have strategically locked in their core players, setting the stage for a high-stakes auction. Marquee players have been announced, key talents retained, and team purses now reveal who will be the big spenders and who will need to be shrewd in the upcoming player draft.
Let’s break down where each team stands after the retention phase:
Biratnagar Kings
The Kings have placed their bets on the global T20 sensation, Sandeep Lamichhane, as their marquee player. They’ve built a foundation by retaining a mix of experience and youth, but with five slots to fill and a healthy budget, their draft strategy will be crucial.
Marquee Player: Sandeep Lamichhane
Retained Players:
Lokesh Bam: NPR 1,500,000
Pratish GC: NPR 1,500,000
Bashir Ahmad: NPR 1,000,000
Subash Bhandari: NPR 250,000
Naren Bhatta: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 4,450,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 4,550,000
Players Needed: 5
Janakpur Bolts
The Bolts have secured the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Aasif Sheikh as their marquee star. They’ve invested heavily in retaining a strong contingent of six players, leaving them with a smaller purse but fewer slots to fill. Their focus will be on quality over quantity in the draft.
Marquee Player: Aasif Sheikh
Retained Players:
Anil Kumar Sah: NPR 1,500,000
Lalit Rajbanshi: NPR 1,500,000
Kishore Mahato: NPR 1,000,000
Rupesh Singh: NPR 1,000,000
Shubha Kansakar: NPR 500,000
Tul Bahadur Thapamagar: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 5,700,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 3,300,000
Players Needed: 4
Chitwan Rhinos
With the explosive all-rounder Kushal Malla leading the charge as their marquee player, the Rhinos have the largest remaining budget in the league. Having retained a core group at a modest cost, they are in a prime position to make some big buys and build a formidable squad in the draft.
Marquee Player: Kushal Malla
Retained Players:
Rijan Dhakal: NPR 1,000,000
Kalam Singh Airee: NPR 1,000,000
Amar Singh Routela: NPR 500,000
Dipak Bohara: NPR 500,000
Gautam KC: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 3,200,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 5,800,000
Players Needed: 5
Kathmandu Gorkhas
The Gorkhas have chosen the experienced pace bowler Karan KC as their marquee player. They have secured a balanced set of retained players, leaving them with a solid budget to strategically fill the remaining five spots on their roster.
Marquee Player: Karan KC
Retained Players:
Bhim Sharki: NPR 1,500,000
Shahab Alam: NPR 1,500,000
Rashid Khan: NPR 1,000,000
Dipesh Kandel: NPR 500,000
Pratik Shrestha: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 4,700,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 4,300,000
Players Needed: 5
Pokhara Avengers
The Avengers will be led by the aggressive opening batsman Kushal Bhurtel. They have spent a significant portion of their budget on retaining a strong group of six players, signaling a clear strategy of continuity. Their draft picks will be crucial to add the finishing touches to their squad.
Marquee Player: Kushal Bhurtel
Retained Players:
Sagar Dhakal: NPR 1,500,000
Aakash Chand: NPR 1,150,000
Kiran Kumar Thagunna: NPR 1,000,000
Bipin Khatri: NPR 1,000,000
Tritraj Das: NPR 500,000
Dinesh Kharel: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 5,250,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 3,750,000
Players Needed: 4
Lumbini Lions
The national team captain, Rohit Kumar Paudel, will don the marquee player cap for the Lions. They have a healthy budget remaining and five slots to fill, giving them significant flexibility to acquire some top talent in the upcoming draft.
Marquee Player: Rohit Kumar Paudel
Retained Players:
Vivek Yadav: NPR 1,500,000
Sundeep Jora: NPR 1,500,000
Tilak Raj Bhandari: NPR 1,000,000
Dinesh Adhikari: NPR 275,000
Abhisesh Gautam: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 4,475,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 4,525,000
Players Needed: 5
Karnali Yaks
The seasoned all-rounder Sompal Kami will lead the charge for the Karnali Yaks. They have managed their retentions shrewdly, leaving them with a substantial purse to make some impactful signings in the draft.
Marquee Player: Sompal Kami
Retained Players:
Gulsan Jha: NPR 1,500,000
Nandan Yadav: NPR 1,100,000
Arjun Gharti: NPR 1,000,000
Dipendra Rawat: NPR 300,000
Yunish Bikram Singh Thakuri: NPR 200,000
Bipin Sharma (Salary not specified)
Total Retention Cost: NPR 4,100,000 (excluding Bipin Sharma)
Remaining Budget: NPR 4,900,000
Players Needed: 5
Sudurpaschim Royals
The talismanic Dipendra Singh Airee has been named the marquee player for the Royals. They have a well-balanced list of retained players and a decent budget to add the necessary firepower to their squad during the draft.
Marquee Player: Dipendra Singh Airee
Retained Players:
Aarif Sheikh: NPR 1,500,000
Abinash Bohara: NPR 1,200,000
Binod Bhandari: NPR 1,000,000
Ishan Pandey: NPR 950,000
Naren Saud: NPR 200,000
Total Retention Cost: NPR 4,850,000
Remaining Budget: NPR 4,150,000
Players Needed: 5
With the retention strategies revealed, the excitement now shifts to the NPL draft. Which teams will make the smartest buys? Who will be the surprise picks? Stay tuned to CharmingEntertainment.com for all the latest updates as we get closer to an action-packed season of the Nepal Premier League!
