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Few would have anticipated Vinod Bhandari’s return to the national team after all this time.
Having retired from One Day Internationals four years ago and stepping away from T20 formats for the past two years, this veteran faced stiff competition making a comeback to Nepal’s national cricket team.
However, ‘stubborn’ Vinod remained determined to fight his way back.
Whether it was in franchise tournaments like the Nepal Premier League (NPL), leading Tribhuvan Army Club to successive victories, or captaining Nepal ‘A’ team, Vinod’s batting consistently produced runs.
As a result, selectors were impressed by his tenacity and recalled him to the national squad for the ICC World Cup League 2.
At 36, while younger players battle hard to secure their spots, experienced Vinod has created history by making a strong comeback to the national side.
His return is not just a formality but impactful. He demonstrated his worth with a powerful half-century in his comeback game.
Former player Dipendra Chaudhary commented, “He has proven that with continuous dedication, anything is achievable. His example will inspire all in Nepali cricket.”
Vinod is now 36 years old, surpassing the previous record for oldest player in the national side held by Shakti Gauchan, who played at 34 against the Netherlands in 2018.
A Test of Patience
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On Shrawan 1, 2079 BS (mid-July 2022), Vinod played for the national team but managed only 13 runs as Nepal lost the match by 8 wickets.
He also had not been included in the T20 international side since 2024.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-opener roles were solidified by younger players like Kushal Bhurtel and Ashif Sheikh, overshadowing Vinod’s chances.
Although dropped from the national squad, he never left the cricketing field.
Vinod consistently excelled across all formats in domestic cricket—T20s, one-dayers, and two-day games.
For instance, during the inaugural Nepal Premier League season, his patient and intelligent batting helped his team, Sudurpashchim Royals, reach the finals.
He amassed 264 runs throughout the tournament.
In season two, his batting remained steady, scoring 235 runs and once again guiding his team to the final.
He also consistently shone in the Prime Minister’s Cup, Nepal’s premier domestic one-day competition.
After leaving the national squad, under his captaincy, Tribhuvan Army Club played in four consecutive finals.
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In the 2024 edition, finishing as runners-up, Vinod scored 351 runs, ranking among the top three batsmen, and he maintained a top-three performance again this year.
Leading the team to the championship this time, Vinod scored 404 runs including two centuries, with a high score of 189 in a single game.
He also guided the Army to consecutive finals in two editions of the Jai Trophy.
Despite consistent performance, Vinod’s absence from the national side raised demand for his recall, yet no official signal came, which led him to voice his frustration during NPL matches.
In an interview with media, he stated, “Who says NPL matches are selection matches for the national team? That should have been announced first. Whether it is a selection match or not makes no difference to me.”
Fruits of Hard Work
While Vinod was indifferent to these considerations, his continuous batting form impressed coach Stewart Law.
Ultimately, Stewart included Vinod in the team for the World Cup League 2 series.
His place in the playing eleven remained uncertain, but as regular openers Kushal Bhurtel and Ashif Sheikh struggled, the coach gave Vinod and young Arjun Kumal a chance against UAE.
Vinod made the most of his opportunity, announcing his comeback with a strong half-century.
Exemplary Vinod
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Many talented Nepalese players have faded away in cricket due to a lack of patience, but Vinod’s persevering effort away from the crowd is truly commendable, experts say.
His name has now been compared with veteran players who have performed at advanced ages, such as India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, Australia’s David Warner, and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.
Whether Vinod’s future journey will be smooth or challenging remains to be seen. For now, he has made one thing clear: ‘Experience counts. Patience yields results.’
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