KATHMANDU — Nepal U-19 team captain Hemant Dhami has signed with Sudurpashchim (Sudurpaschim) Royals for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Dhami was listed in Category B with a base price of Rs 500,000; Pokhara, Lumbini, Sudurpashchim and Janakpur franchises had bid for him. According to auction reports, he was ultimately allocated to Sudurpashchim through a lottery process at Rs 1 million. (Source: Khabarhub)
Dhami also appeared on the official NPL 2025 auction pool as a Category B player prior to the mini-auction. In the mini-auction recap Sudurpashchim — described in coverage as the runners-up — spent a total of 24 lakh Nepali rupees on several signings, with Hemant Dhami recorded as acquired for ₹10 Lakhs via the lucky-draw/lottery. The Royals’ spending spree left them with around 17.5 lakh in their purse after the purchases. Coming into Season 2 as a young U-19 captain who was hot in the auction, Dhami’s arrival is being framed in local coverage as a reinforcement to the Royals’ core that finished near the top last season. Fans and pundits will watch whether his form from the youth setup and the confidence shown by multiple bidders at auction translate into a regular impact role for Sudurpashchim in the NPL.
Discussion:
- How do you rate the Royals’ decision to use a lottery slot on the U-19 skipper Hemant Dhami — was ₹10 Lakhs good value? (Sources: Khabarhub, WicketNepal)
- Will Dhami’s leadership experience with Nepal U-19 help Sudurpashchim close the gap and challenge for the title next season? (Sources: Khabarhub, WicketNepal)
- Where in the Royals’ lineup do you expect Dhami to make his biggest impact based on the squad the team bought at auction? (Source: WicketNepal)
- Given Sudurpashchim’s reported auction spending and remaining purse, what other areas should the Royals prioritize before the tournament? (Source: WicketNepal)
- For supporters: what would success look like for Hemant Dhami in NPL Season 2 — consistent starts, match-winning moments, or captaincy growth?
Keep the discussion factual, respectful, and cricket-focused.