NPL 2025 Player Movement: A Roster Shake-Up

Published · By Kushma Thapa

The NPL 2025 auction and retention process fundamentally reshaped several team rosters. The movement of key national players and the high-profile switches of award-winning foreign stars have set up exciting new rivalries for the season.

Star Players and Their New Homes

The biggest headlines were generated by the movement of top performers from NPL 2024:

  • Player of the Tournament Moves: In a major surprise, the NPL 2024 Player of the Tournament, Saif Ali Zaib, was not retained by the runner-up Sudurpaschim Royals. The Chitwan Rhinos were quick to snap up the star English all-rounder, giving their middle-order batting and left-arm spin a massive upgrade for 2025.

  • The Energetic All-Rounder Switches: James Neesham, the big-hitting New Zealander, moved from the defending champion Janakpur Bolts to the Pokhara Avengers. This was a massive win for the Avengers, who acquired the player who was awarded the Energetic Player of the Tournament (Highest Strike Rate). Neesham also led the league in 2024, hitting 23 sixes for the Bolts. His move leaves a power-hitting void in the champion squad.

  • Local Talent on the Move:

    • Hemant Dhami, a young Nepali bowler, moved from the Janakpur Bolts to the Sudurpaschim Royals. Dhami was notable for winning the Red Bull Energetic Player of Match in the NPL 2024 Final.

    • Dev Khanal, a promising young batter, moved from the Karnali Yaks to the Chitwan Rhinos.

    • All-rounder Narayan Joshi left the Pokhara Avengers to join the Biratnagar Kings.

    • Arjun Kumal, an all-rounder, moved from the Sudurpaschim Royals to the Pokhara Avengers.

    • Sher Malla, who took the Catch of the Match in the 2024 Final, moved from the Janakpur Bolts to the Lumbini Lions.

Statistical Leaders and Retained Core

While many stars moved, several other top performers were successfully retained, forming the backbone of their respective teams:

  • Dipendra Singh Airee, the Electric Player of the Tournament, was a priority retention for the Sudurpaschim Royals as their Marquee Player and Captain, ensuring their on-field leadership remains intact.

  • Lalit Rajbanshi, who shared the title of Highest Wicket-Taker with 17 wickets, was secured and retained by the Janakpur Bolts, maintaining the potency of their spin attack.

  • Lahiru Milantha, the Most Runs scorer (293 runs) and Player of the Match in the Final, was successfully retained by the Janakpur Bolts, who rely on his consistency at the top of the order.

  • Ravi Bopara, who hit the Most Half-Centuries (3) in 2024, was one of the key international players retained by the Chitwan Rhinos.

  • Scott Kuggeleijn, the co-leader for Most Wickets (17), was successfully retained by the Sudurpaschim Royals, maintaining his valuable pace-bowling all-rounder contribution.

  • Bipin Prasad Sharma, the Emerging Player of the Tournament, was a successful retention for the Karnali Yaks, highlighting their investment in local youth development.

  • William Giles Bosisto, who claimed the Best Bowling Figures (6/28), was retained by the Karnali Yaks, keeping his high-impact all-round services.

Star Players Who Did Not Return for NPL 2025

Several influential international players from the 2024 season are not listed on any 2025 NPL roster, having been replaced by new global signings:

  • Andries Gous (Pokhara Avengers): The only player to score a Century (104*) in the 2024 season is absent.

  • Shikhar Dhawan (India) from Karnali Yaks.

  • Ben Cutting (Australia) from Lumbini Lions.

  • Unmukt Chand (USA) from Lumbini Lions.

  • Michael Levitt (Netherlands) from Kathmandu Gorkhas.

  • Aqib Ilyas (Oman) from Biratnagar Kings.