KATHMANDU: His intense movement, the athleticism of throwing his body at every angle to stop the ball, the precise throw he can execute from any position, and his ability to cover a vast fielding area make him special.

There was a time in Nepali cricket when fielders were hardly given much importance. The bowler and the batter were the main focus of discussion. However, the situation has changed. Lately, fielding has become the main basis for determining the result of a game in Nepali cricket.

The key catalyst for this change in Nepali cricket is Dipendra Singh Airee, the national team’s vice-captain.

His mere presence on the field changes the game’s atmosphere. His intense movement, the athleticism of throwing his body at every angle to stop the ball, the swift precise throw he can execute from any position, and his ability to cover a vast fielding area make him special.

Paras Khadka, Secretary of the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN), says, “When he backs up on the field, many people step back, saying, ‘It’s Dipendra.'”

Dipendra is known by his supporters by the nickname ‘Tiger.’ Paras himself started this nickname. Dipendra made his debut for the national team against Kenya in Division-3 in 2018.

At that time, he made his presence felt by hitting two consecutive half-centuries. Since then, he hasn’t had to look back.

Furthermore, even if he doesn’t perform well with the ball and bat, he remains consistent in the team due to his incredible fielding ability.

Manjeet Shrestha, former national team all-rounder and current head coach of the Nepal Police Club, says, “Dipendra can execute a perfectly accurate throw not just from 5 meters, but even from 25 meters. Due to this extraordinary talent, opposing players are afraid to take a run when the ball is hit into his area.”

Dipendra holds the ability to change the complexion of the game through his fielding skills. This was recently confirmed during the ICC T-20 World Cup selection in Oman, in his fielding against Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Explaining the reason for giving Dipendra the nickname “Tiger,” Paras said in an interview with Kantipur Television, “The tiger is the strongest animal. He is like a tiger. Looking at his speed and agility, this name felt appropriate for him.”

In the decisive match of the Super Six during the World Cup selection tournament, a ‘throw’ by Dipendra not only astonished the audience but also the opponents. In the match against the host, Oman, which was considered decisive, after running out Aamir Kaleem from a tricky mid-on position, he became the player to effect five consecutive run-outs in five consecutive matches through direct throws. Observing that feat up close, former Ireland player and commentator Andrew Leonard could not contain himself. He said, “No one has ever done this before. Five run-outs in five consecutive matches through direct hits? And two of them off his own bowling. This, I feel, is a world-class feat.”

In the selection tournament, Dipendra also surprised and ran out Kuwait’s Clinto Anto, Japan’s Abhishek Anand, and Qatar’s Captain Mirza Mohammed in the same fashion. In the match against the UAE, he also claimed Rahul Chopara as a victim.

Andrew was the commentator then as well. He exclaimed, “World-class fielding, anywhere in the world.”

Andrew’s words will resonate in the ears of Nepali cricket lovers for ages. Dipendra’s fielding has now proven one thing: fielding is no longer just a support system for the Nepali team; it is becoming the main weapon to win the game.

Manjeet says, “Dipendra has 100 percent commitment. He always thinks about how to make the team win and is ready to do anything for it. His fielding was good before, but now it seems the quality has increased even more.”

In modern cricket, the impact of fielding affects the result of the game. That is why some countries hire separate fielding coaches. In Nepal, this was not given much importance initially. However, for some time now, the Nepali team has also been accompanied by a separate fielding coach. This has taken Dipendra’s fielding to another level.

He is not alone behind his success. A whole group is ready with him. Whenever he is in Kathmandu, he is found on the field as often as possible. On the field, along with batting, bowling, and running, he dedicates the same amount of time to fielding.

For this, he has prepared a group including players like Kushal Bhurtel. This group conducts day-and-night practice at the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground in Kirtipur when they are free. This has brought an improvement not only in his personal standard but also in the team. Dipendra says, “I like batting and bowling, but fielding is my identity. When I am on the field, every ball is my responsibility.”

His belief is if one percent of energy is reduced in fielding, the team loses 10 runs. That is why he takes every ball during practice as a decisive moment. His performance has brought a change in the team as well.

Now the young players learn by watching the highlights of his game. They don’t hesitate to dive the moment they see the ball on the field.

Furthermore, Coach Manjeet says that the young generation seeks to learn how to approach the game, how to face challenges, and how individual effort can be decisive for the team.

This creates a kind of team spirit in the new generation. “The feeling that ‘If Dipendra is doing it, we must also do it’ has been created. His effort has instilled the awareness that everyone must field well,” he says.

Along with Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra’s name is also highly pronounced in the line of those taking Nepal’s cricket to the world stage. However, his contribution cannot be measured by the scoreboard. His contribution is seen only when he stops an impossible ball, throws his body over the boundary line, executes a precise throw, and instills confidence in the team with every ball.

That is why Dipendra has become the strong self-belief of Nepali cricket. When he is on the field, not only the Nepali players but also the cricket supporters feel that fielding is also an art, and Dipendra is a true artist.