Binod Bhandari is a seasoned Nepalese cricketer, celebrated for his right-handed batting and exceptional wicket-keeping skills. Born on January 25, 1990, in Kanchanpur, Nepal, he brings invaluable experience and leadership to the cricket field. In the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025, Binod is a vital member of the Sudurpaschim Royals squad, where he anchors the batting lineup and provides sharp wicket-keeping skills. Taking to social media on Saturday, the team has announced the decision to retain its marquee player allrounder Dipendra Singh Airee along with wicketkeeper batsman Binod Bhandari, batsman Aarif Sheikh, pacer Abinash Bohara, Ishan Pandey and Naren Saud.
Binod made his international debut in 2010 and quickly emerged as a key player for Nepal. Binod Bhandari’s unbeaten half-century led Sudurpaschim Royals to an 8-wicket victory over Janakpur Bolts, securing a spot in the Nepal Premier League final at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Bhandari scored an unbeaten 58 off 55 balls, including three boundaries and three sixes. Earlier, opting to bat first, Sudurpaschim Royals got off to a great start as openers Saif Zaib (69 off 43 balls) and Binod Bhandari (41 off 31 balls) added 117 runs from 72 balls for the first wicket before Lalit Rajbanshi broke the stand. Janakpur Bolts clinched the first-ever Nepal Premier League title after a thumping 5-wicket win over Sudurpaschim Royals in the final. The runner-ups of the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Sudurpaschim Royals have retained six of their dozen domestic players for the second edition of the tournament, keeping Bhandari at the heart of their plans.
Discussion
- How important will Binod Bhandari’s experience and wicket-keeping be to Sudurpaschim Royals in NPL Season 2?
- Can his playoff form—an unbeaten 58 in Qualifier 1 and a quick 41 in the final—be a template for consistency in the coming season?
- With the Royals retaining a core group, what role should Bhandari play in mentoring the younger batsmen in the squad?
- Did the Royals miss a chance in the final despite the strong opening stand featuring Bhandari and Saif Zaib, and what needs to change?
- Should the team use Bhandari higher in the order when they need to anchor chases, based on his Qualifier knock?
Keep the discussion factual, respectful, and cricket-focused.