Three months earlier, Sandeep Lamichhane had been playing on a school playing field in a suburb of Namibia’s capital, in front of a handful of people in the third-tier of international cricket.
The stakes might have been high – a last possible route to World Cup qualification, or at least one-day international status, and thus a tranche of ICC funding – but it did not always feel like it.
And in terms of levels of attention? Nothing like this.
How could it be? Now he was playing against some of the world’s greatest names, in the game’s costliest competition, in India’s capital city.
He had got the unexpected call while on tour in Dubai with Nepal, who had a practice camp ahead of that World Cricket League Two series in Namibia.
Aged 17, he became the first cricketer from Nepal to be recruited to the Indian Premier League.
Delhi Daredevils (now known as the Capitals) had spent US$31,000 (around Dh114,000) at auction to secure his services.
Not that that meant he was guaranteed a start. A year earlier, Chirag Suri had been the UAE’s pioneer in the competition after being drafted to Gujarat Lions – yet he did not get on the field over the course of the season.
And Lamichhane was up against some celebrated competition, too. If he was going to get a place in Delhi’s starting XI, he would have to displace one of Colin Munro, Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Glenn Maxwell or Chris Morris. No easy task.
As a whole nation of the other side of the border waited patiently, Lamichhane had to sit on the other side of the boundary rope, or carry drinks for the luminaries of the Daredevils starting line up.
Until this day, two years ago, when he was finally given his chance, as the Daredevils hosted Royal Challengers Bangalore in front of 42,000 at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
He might have been carrying the weight of Nepalese expectations, but he did not disappoint.
Far from it. Faced with bowling inside the Powerplay, to Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, he thrived.
First, he went for just two off the first over of RCB’s innings, as they set off in pursuit of 182 to win.
Then he got shot of Parthiv Patel, before having a tight LBW appeal with his first delivery to De Villiers.
His team might have lost the game, after a De Villiers masterclass, but Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers.
Even De Villiers was impressed, although apparently blissfully unaware of the paroxysms of delight Lamichhane’s performances had prompted back at home.
“It’s a wonder how these youngsters do it,” the great South African said of Lamichhane. “It’s great for Indian cricket, great for cricket overall.”
Great for Nepal cricket, more like. One of their own being on the big stage meant everyone else could dare to dream, as their captain Paras Khadka had said during the tournament in Namibia.
“It is about getting that opportunity, and I hope, now he has this opportunity, he will go out there and prove himself,” Khadka said.
“Back home, it has opened doors already for young kids to think, if you have that belief and work hard, and if you are talented enough, the world is open to you.
“As a team, we are happy for him. I think it is just the beginning, and there are a lot of good days ahead.”
