Chitwan Rhinos

Last updated
Chitwan Rhinos
Nickname(s)CR
League Nepal Premier League
Personnel
Captain Kushal Malla
CoachKalam Ali
Owner Chitwan Medical College (CMC)
Team information
City Bharatpur, Chitwan
Colours 
Founded5 September 2024;11 months ago (5 September 2024)
History
Nepal Premier League  wins0
Official website chitwanrhinos.com

Chitwan Rhinos is a Nepalese professional cricket franchise based in Chitwan District, Bagmati Province. The team competes in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and was one of the eight franchise incorporated in 2024. [1] Their home ground is the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium and is owned by Chitwan Medical College (CMC).

Contents

Kushal Malla, Ravi Bopara and Sohail Tanvir were the standout players of this team. [2]

History

In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced that the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League would take place in November and December 2024. [3] [4] [5] On 2 August 2024, CAN issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for franchise ownership. The Chitwan based franchise was sold to Chitwan Medical College for NPR 1.76 crore (US$130,000). [6] [7]

2024 season

The Rhinos made their debut in the 2024 Nepal Premier League. They had a very competitive debut season, finishing third in the league stage with four wins from seven matches.

On 2 December 2024, they played their first ever match in NPL history against Kathmandu Gurkhas and won by 5 wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. [8] In that match, Sohail Tanvir took the franchise's first five wicket haul, guiding the team to a maiden NPL victory. [9] One day later, they defeated Pokhara Avengers by 87 runs, leaving Pokhara struggling in the lower half of the table. [10]

The team recorded their first major loss on 6 December 2024, against Karnali Yaks in a low scoring thriller. [11] Immediately after the first loss, they bounce back by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals through huge margin off 33 runs. [12] After that, they lost back to back matches against Lumbini Lions and Biratnagar Kings by 33 runs and 51 runs respectively. [13] [14] But, they summed up their league stage in winning note by defeating Janakpur Bolts by 32 runs and entering Eliminator of the season. [15] However, they concluded their 2024 Nepal Premier League Campaign with a 21 run defeat to Karnali Yaks in the Eliminator Round. [16]

In this season, Ravi Bopara became the leading run scorer of the franchise’s, and overall second leading run scorer of the season. [17] Sohail Tanvir became franchise leading wicket taker. [18]

Crest and colours

The logo features a stylized rhinoceros, symbolizing the iconic Chitwan National Park with Cricket ball at the bottom center and the team name rendered below in white and orange. The team's primary colour is blue and orange. The team unveiled a new logo ahead of the 2025 season, emphasizing a modern and aggressive look that aligns with the team’s identity. [19] [20] [21]

Brand

The Rhinos has consistently been named amongst the most valuable sporting franchises in Nepal.

Sponsorship

YearKit manufacturerShirt sponsor (front)Shirt sponsor (back)Chest brandingSleeve branding
2024 Blue Star Chitwan Medical College Bharatpur Metropolitan City Nabil Bank, Current Noodles, Pepsi

Ownership

When the NPL was launched in 2024, the Chitwan franchise was sold to the Dream Sports Pvt Ltd for रू 1.76 crore (US$130,000), making it the fifth expensive team in the league. [22] [23]

Players

Current squad

Chitwan Rhinos squad for the 2025 Nepal Premier League [24] [25]
No.NameNationalityBirth dateBatting styleBowling styleYear signedSalaryNotes
1 Rijan Dhakal Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 6 May 1999 (aged 26)Right-handedLeft-arm medium 2024 रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)
2 Kamal Singh Airee Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 19 December 2000 (aged 24)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2024 रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)
3Deepak BoharaFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 19 June 2005 (aged 20)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2024 रू 5 lakh (US$3,700)
4Gautam KCFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 25 June 2001 (aged 24)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2024 रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
5 Kushal Malla Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 5 March 2004 (aged 21)Left-handedLeft-arm orthodox 2024 रू 20 lakh (US$15,000) Captain [26]
6Amar Singh RautelaFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 5 September 1993 (aged 31)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2024 रू 5 lakh (US$3,700)
7 Dev Khanal Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 29 May 2005 (aged 20)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2025 रू 15 lakh (US$11,000)
8 Arjun Saud Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 29 June 2003 (aged 22)Right-handed2025 रू 15 lakh (US$11,000)
9Bipin RawalFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 25 September 2004 (aged 20)Left-handed2025 रू 5 lakh (US$3,700)
10Bipin AcharyaFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 22 February 2001 (aged 24)Left-handedRight-arm off break 2025 रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
11Ranjeet KumarFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 7 April 2006 (aged 19)Left-handedLeft-arm orthodox 2025 रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)

Support staff

PositionName
Head coachKalam Ali
Performance AnalystRajan Shah
Team MentorManish Sakhalkar
Source: Official website

Statistics

By season

YearMatWonLostNRWin%Group StageFinal ResultMost RunsMost Wickets
2024 844050.003/8Playoffs Ravi Bopara (286) Sohail Tanvir (14)
Total844050.00

Source: ESPNcricinfo [27]

By opposition

OppositionSpanMWLNRWin (%)
Biratnagar Kings 20241010
0
Janakpur Bolts 20241100
100
Karnali Yaks 20242020
0
Kathmandu Gurkhas 20241100
100
Lumbini Lions 20241010
0
Pokhara Avengers 20241100
100
Sudurpaschim Royals 20241100
100
Total2024844050%

Last updated: 21 December 2024

References

  1. "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  2. "Rhinos finish 4th in the inaugural edition of the Nepal Premier League". Chitwan Rhinos . 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  3. "CAN to organise Nepal Premier League in November and December". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  4. "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  5. "Nepal Premier League 2024 start date announced". SportsAdda. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. Staff, cricnepal (2024-09-05). "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  7. "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  8. "Chitwan Rhinos secure five-wicket victory against Kathmandu Gurkhas". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  9. "Sohail Tanvir's Five-Wicket Haul Powers Chitwan Rhinos to Victory". WicketNepal. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  10. "Chitwan Rhinos secure consecutive win after defeating Pokhara Avengers". Republica. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  11. "Yaks edge out Rhinos in a low-scoring thriller". Chitwan Rhinos . 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  12. "Chitwan Rhinos defeat Sudurpaschim Royals by 33 runs in NPL". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  13. "Lumbini Lions defeats Chitwan Rhinos". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  14. "Biratnagar Kings beat Chitwan Rhinos by 51 runs". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  15. "Rhinos defeat Janakpur in a thrilling contest". Chitwan Rhinos . 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  16. "Karnali Yaks defeat Chitwan Rhinos to secure qualifier berth". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  17. "Most runs in Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo . 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  18. "Most wickets For Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo . 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  19. "Chitwan Rhinos unveil updated logo ahead of NPL Season 2". Makalu Khabar. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  20. "चितवन राइनोजले सार्वजनिक गर्‍यो नयाँ लोगो". Sauraha Online (in Nepali). 19 November 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  21. "Chitwan Rhinos' new logo for NPL Season 2". Bajarkochirfar. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  22. "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  23. "CAN secures whopping funds from NPL franchise ownership auction". Cricnepal. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  24. "Chitwan Rhinos Reveal Retained Players for Nepal Premier League Season 2". Cricnepal. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  25. "NPL completes player auction for second edition with 37 signings". online khabar. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  26. "Kushal Malla was confirmed as the side's captain on the eve of the tournament". Chitwan Rhinos . Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  27. "Results of Nepal Premier League". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.