Cricket diplomacy: India backs Nepal's cricket dream

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 24: Cricket has become a powerful bridge between India and Nepal, bringing the youth of both nations together through a shared love for the sport.

The government of India has been lending their hands in fulfilling the cricket ambition of Nepal. Over the past two years, India has worked closely with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to offer training and facilities. This partnership has included tournaments, coaching camps, and equipment support.

 In the latest development, the Nepal Men’s National Cricket Team began a training camp on July 21 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. 

The two-week camp runs until August 3, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Oman this October.

This marks the second time the team has trained in Bengaluru. The first camp took place in August 2024, part of a broader push by the Government of India to support Nepal in cricket talent development.

In March 2025, Nepal participated in a triangular T20 practice tournament with the Baroda and Gujarat Cricket Associations to prepare for the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Women’s National Cricket Team trained in Delhi from April to May 2025, ahead of their successful run in the ICC Women’s Asia World Cup Qualifiers in Thailand, where they reached the final round.

India’s support also extended to individual athletes. In July 2025, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu sponsored three young Nepali players to attend a month-long professional training in Bhopal.

India’s commitment to Nepal’s cricket journey goes back years. In 2013, it gifted a bus to CAN. In October 2023, Embassy of India provided professional equipment through the B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation and SJVN Ltd, a public sector undertaking of Indian government.

Highlighting the diplomatic value of sports, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, met with the Nepali team and CAN representatives in January 2024, reaffirming India’s continued support.

Cricket is proving to be more than just a game—it’s a growing pillar in India-Nepal relations.