Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Only three out of eight Nepal Premier League (NPL) franchises have appointed homegrown coaches for the second season, which kicks off in Kathmandu on Monday.
Except for Sudurpashchim Royals, Chitwan Rhinos and Karnali Yaks, all NPL franchises have roped in foreign coaches. Sudurpashchim Royals have entrusted the responsibility to Jagat Tamatta, while Karnali Yaks have named former national team captain Gyanendra Malla as the head coach and Chitwan Rhinos have promoted their last season’s assistant coach Kalam Ali to Head Coach.
Along with Sudurpashchim Royals, Chitwan Rhinos and Karnali Yaks, NPL features Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Pokhara Avengers and Lumbini Lions.
Here we take a look at the head coaches of all NPL sides:
Pubudu Dassanayake (Biratnagar Kings)
Former Nepali national team head coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who last year helped Janakpur Bolts win the title, will be seen in the dugout of Biratnagar Kings in the new season of NPL. He is also the head coach of the USA national cricket team. The Sri Lankan-born Canadian has also coached the national team of Canada.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Janakpur Bolts)
Defending champions Janakpur Bolts have signed legendary West Indian cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul to replace Dassanayake in the dugout. Chanderpaul has served as the head coach of the USA women’s national team and the West Indies U-19 team. He also held a coaching position with the Caribbean Premier League side Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2022 season.
Monty Desai (Kathmandu Gorkhas)
Kathmandu Gorkhas have signed former Nepali national team coach Monty Desai as their head coach. The Indian coach gives an edge to the capital-based franchise as he is aware of the conditions at the TU Cricket Ground and the skills of most Nepali players in the NPL. Desai has proved his mettle by retaining Nepal’s ODI status and guiding the country to their second-ever T20 World Cup.
Rajiv Kumar (Pokhara Avengers)
Pokhara Avengers have retained their head coach for the second season, even though they finished seventh in the inaugural season. Kumar played first-class cricket for the Bihar and Jharkhand state teams. He has also served as a fielding coach for the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings. He will be under pressure to turn the Avengers’ fortunes around in the second season.
Kalam Ali (Chitwan Rhinos)
Chitwan Rhinos have promoted their assistant coach from last season to head coach for the second season. Ali, who helped guide the Rhinos to the playoffs last season, will be under pressure to deliver an improved performance. The Rhinos, who finished third in the league stage, were defeated by Karnali Yaks in the Eliminator.
Tinu Yohannan (Lumbini Lions)
Lumbini Lions, who finished eighth in the NPL last season, have brought in Tinu Yohannan to replace Nandan Phadnis as head coach. The former Indian cricketer will be under pressure to make the Lumbini Lions, captained by the national team captain, into a strong and formidable team. He is also the coach of the Kerala state cricket team.
Gyanendra Malla (Karnali Yaks)
Karnali Yaks, who finished third in the inaugural season of the NPL, have retained Gyanendra Malla as their head coach. The former national team captain, who is also the head coach of the Nepal A team, knows Nepali players and conditions well. He will be under pressure to deliver an improved performance compared to the previous season.
Jagat Tamata (Sudurpashchim Royals)
Sudurpashchim Royals have retained Jagat Tamatta, who guided them to the final of the inaugural NPL season last year, for the second season. Tamatta, one of the first-generation Nepali cricketers, is also among the most experienced Nepali coaches. He has served as the head coach of the Nepali national team as well as the U-19 team.
* Corrected to rectify factual errors
