Rising Nepal cricket star Sandeep Lamichhane trains ahead of IPL 2018 — In pictures

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Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane trains with Delhi Daredevils ahead of the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Delhi Daredevils

Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is the first player from his country to be drafted by an IPL team. Delhi Daredevils

At just 17 years old, Sandeep Lamichhane has shown tremendous maturity - both as a player and a person. Delhi Daredevils

While at Delhi Daredevils, Sandeep Lamichhane will be mentored by coach and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Delhi Daredevils

Sandeep Lamichhane is fresh from an impressive 50-overs World Cup qualification campaign in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Delhi Daredevils

Nepal did not qualify for the 2019 tournament, but Sandeep Lamichhane played a big role in his team's successful bid to be clinch one-day international status by the International Cricket Council. Delhi Daredevils

Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was seen training with his Delhi Daredevils teammates ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which starts on April 7.

Lamichhane, 17, was the first Nepal cricketer to be drafted by an IPL franchise in January. He was picked by Delhi for US$31,466 (Dh115,580) during a player auction for the annual Twenty20 tournament.

The news was, quite naturally, met with joy in Nepal.

"Sandeep has created history for Nepal and has sent out a positive message about Nepali cricket," Chumbi Lama of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said at the time. "He has also opened doors for other Nepali players to make a mark internationally."

Lamichhane played an important role in Nepal's successful bid to clinch one-day international status from the International Cricket Council during the 2019 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe last month. But it is yet to be seen whether, and how regularly, he will feature in Delhi's first XI.

The Daredevils will play their opening fixture against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.

Lamichhane speaks after media day

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