Strengthening Ties: India and Nepal Unite Through Cricket Initiatives
Cricket: A Bridge Between India and Nepal
New Delhi, July 21: The sport of cricket is enhancing the long-standing historical relationship between India and Nepal, fostering connections among the youth of both nations, as stated by the Cricket Association of Nepal.
With support from the Indian government, the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is set to host Nepal's Men's National Cricket Team for a training camp from August 20 to September 4. This camp aims to prepare the team for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for October 2025 in Oman.
Previously, Nepal's Women's National Cricket Team engaged in a training camp in Delhi during April-May 2025 to gear up for the ICC Women's Asia World Cup Qualifiers in Thailand, where they successfully reached the finals.
In August 2024, the Indian government also facilitated training for Nepal's Men's National Cricket Team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Prior to the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in June 2024, Nepal participated in a triangular T20 practice tournament against teams from Baroda and Gujarat Cricket Associations in April 2024.
The Indian government is committed to nurturing cricket talent in Nepal, providing training opportunities for Nepali cricketers in India. Over the last two years, collaborative efforts between the Indian government, BCCI, and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) have been instrumental in this initiative.
In a demonstration of India's dedication, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with representatives from Nepal's Men's National Cricket Team and CAN in January 2024, expressing India's support for the development of cricket in Nepal.
Additionally, the Indian government backed a practice tournament for Under-19 teams from Nepal and the Delhi & District Cricket Association in March 2025, aiding Nepal's preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup qualifiers.
In July 2025, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu sponsored a month-long professional training program in Bhopal for three promising Under-19 cricketers from Nepal. The Indian government has a history of supporting cricket in Nepal, including gifting a bus to CAN in 2013 and providing professional sporting equipment to Nepal's Men's National Cricket Team in October 2023 through the B P Koirala India-Nepal Foundation and SJVN Ltd.