Cricket Kitchen

Sandeep & Lalit in Big Bash League 2024 Draft: What Are Their Chances of Being Picked?

April 29, 2025

The player draft list for the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024, Australia’s premier T20 competition, has been officially released, featuring 432 players from around the world. From Nepal, only two players have made it into the draft list: former national team captain Sandeep Lamichhane and left-arm orthodox spinner Lalit Rajbanshi.

The final decision on which players will be picked by BBL franchises will be made on September 1, 2024.

Of the two, Sandeep Lamichhane is already a familiar name in the Big Bash, having played three seasons with Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars. Over 43 matches, he has taken 48 wickets at an economy rate of 7.42. However, due to a recent court case involving rape allegations, Lamichhane was suspended from international franchise cricket. It was former Australian captain Michael Clarke who helped him get his initial break in the BBL.

Despite recent controversies, Sandeep’s chances of returning to the Big Bash League this year are considered high, according to several Australian cricket outlets.

For Lalit Rajbanshi, this is his first time being named in the BBL draft. A specialist mystery spinner, Rajbanshi has taken 18 wickets in 21 ODIs for Nepal. If picked, this would mark his debut in an overseas franchise league — a significant milestone in his career.

While Sandeep first appeared in the BBL back in 2018, no other Nepali cricketer has ever played in the league. In 2022, only Sandeep was included in the draft, while in 2023, five players from Nepal — Sandeep Lamichhane, Dev Khanal, Arjun Saud, Aasif Sheikh, and Aarif Sheikh — were drafted. Unfortunately, none were picked.

This year, however, Australian media reports suggest that both Nepali players have a decent chance of being signed, especially with Sandeep’s past performance and Lalit’s growing reputation.

In contrast, no Nepali female cricketers were included in the women’s BBL draft list. Despite players from countries like UAE, Thailand, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Vanuatu, and Indonesia being named, no Nepali women cricketers made it to even the first list of the draft.

Both the Men’s and Women’s 14th edition of the Big Bash League are scheduled to begin this December.