The situation of Chitwan Rhinos has changed compared to last year. The way the Chitwan team has been formed, the team can be considered a contender.
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Chitwan Rhinos were considered the weakest team before the start of the league last season. The team was seen as weak after Chitwan failed to get the players they wanted in the auction. Moreover, Chitwan faced heavy criticism on its own social media pages after bringing in veteran players like Ravi Wopara and Sohail Tanvir.
But Chitwan reached the playoffs with an unexpected performance. The two key players in that were Wopara and Tanveer. Wopara was the highest run-scorer until the final. Tanveer started making wickets rain by taking 5 wickets in the first match against Kathmandu Gorkhaz. The all-round performance of his Devrehata opening pair Region Dhakal and captain Kushal Malla had boosted Chitwan.
After a year, Chitwan's situation has changed. The way the Chitwan team has been formed, the team can be seen as a contender. One reason for this is that the team has tried to strengthen the batting by adding Dev Khanal and Arjun Saud, who have represented the Nepali national team, to the domestic players.
Last season, Dev could not show a significant performance from Karnali. Arjun was also the same in Lumbini. Arjun is not able to show the potential he has in Twenty20. It will be interesting to see how he takes his game forward from Chitwan.
Chitwan looks strong, at least on paper, after the addition of English batter David Malan. The arrival of Saif Zaib, who became the Player of the Series while playing for Sudurpaschim in the first season, has made Chitwan a contender. In the presence of Wopara, Tanveer, Malan and Zaib, Ugandan Alpes Ramjani is sure to play the role of 'backup'.
Chitwan has appointed former Nepali fast bowler Kalam Ali as the head coach. Kalam was his assistant when Umesh Patwal was Chitwan's coach last year.
Who is in the team?
Kushal Malla (captain), Rijan Dhakal, Kamalsingh Airy, Dev Khanal, Arjun Saud, Amarsingh Rautela, Bipin Rawal, Deepak Bohra, Bipin Acharya, Gautam KC, Ranjit Kumar, Sohail Tanveer, Ravi Vopara, David Malan, Saif Zaib, Alpes Ramjani.
