KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Royals have retained marquee player Dipendra Singh Airee and six others for Season 3 of the Nepal Premier League.
The franchise announced its retained list through a social media post. Dipendra, Binod Bhandari, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami and Hikmat Mahara will continue with the Royals.
Sudurpaschim also posted a thank-you graphic for outgoing players as they begin their squad rebuild for the new season.
The retention comes after two highly consistent but ultimately painful NPL campaigns. Sudurpaschim have been the best league-stage team across the first two seasons, but they have lost both finals.
In the inaugural 2024 season, Sudurpaschim finished top of the table with six wins from seven league matches. Their only league-stage defeat came against Chitwan Rhinos.
The Royals beat Janakpur Bolts in Qualifier 1 to reach the first NPL final. In the title match, Sudurpaschim posted 184/9 after choosing to bat first, but Janakpur chased the target in 19.2 overs and won by five wickets.
Despite the final defeat, Sudurpaschim had several standout performers. Saif Zaib was named Player of the Season after scoring 275 runs and taking 12 wickets. Scott Kuggeleijn finished as one of the tournament’s leading wicket-takers with 17 wickets.
The second season followed a similar path. Sudurpaschim again topped the league stage, winning six of their seven matches. Their only league-stage defeat came against Biratnagar Kings.
The Royals then defeated Biratnagar by 77 runs in Qualifier 1 to reach their second straight final.
But the final again ended in disappointment. Sudurpaschim were bowled out for 85 in 19.1 overs against Lumbini Lions. Lumbini chased 86/4 in nine overs and won by six wickets to lift their first NPL title.
Across the first two NPL seasons, Sudurpaschim have played 18 matches, winning 14 and losing only four. Their win rate and two league-table finishes show their consistency, but the missing trophy remains the biggest gap.
The Season 3 retention list shows the Royals are keeping their trusted domestic core. Dipendra remains the central figure, while Binod, Aarif and Ishan give the batting group continuity.
Abinash, Hemant and Hikmat give Sudurpaschim pace options as they prepare for the next auction.
After two runner-up finishes, Sudurpaschim’s target for Season 3 is clear. The Royals have already built the strongest regular-season identity in the NPL. Now they need to finish the job in the final.
