Deepesh Khatri: A life devoted to cricket

At the crack of dawn, even before the misty air clears, Deepesh Khatri enters the ground and glances around, ensuring nothing has affected it overnight. A group of young players are already there. It’s a daily routine at the cricket ground of Lekhnath, which Deepesh Khatri has named ‘Eden Heavens.’ You might think the name is inspired by Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, but the ground truly resembles heaven, if it exists. 

Recently, in Nepal, cricket has become a source of happiness and hope, drawing many youngsters into this promising sport. As a result, cricket academies have flourished across the country. Currently, there are only two cricket academies in the Kaski District, one of which is the Machhapuchhre Cricket Academy run by Khatri. The aspiring cricketers at Machhapuchhre Cricket Academy are happy to hone their skills by imitating their coach who has played a lot of cricket in his life.

Born and raised in India, Khatri learned the basics of the game in the rich cricketing atmosphere of Mumbai before coming to Nepal. It was his maternal uncle who urged him to come to Pokhara and showcase his talents. In 1999, he was selected for the Kaski District squad to participate in the Rajbiraj Jay Trophy. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to play. Khatri desperately needed to prove his worth. He had come all the way from Mumbai to play cricket and wouldn’t give up so easily. When Khatri was provided the chance to play for Region No 4 in the U17 national cricket championship, he displayed his brilliance, making his team the tournament champions. 

He started his career as a medium pacer. With time, his batting abilities sharpened, making him a useful bowling all-rounder. In 2003, when Region No 4 was playing the final of the U19 national cricket championship against Biratnagar, captain Shakti Gauchan and the team management decided to experiment by sending Khatri as the opening batsman. 

Khatri, who usually bowled with a new ball, used to bat down the order. It was a gamble to promote him to the top order. In cricket, the chances of a lower-order batsman scoring runs as an opening batsman are always low. But there was something about Khatri that made the team trust him. Khatri top-scored with 110 runs under his belt, helping his team win the national championship. By then, he was only seen as a medium pacer who could swing his bat when needed. That innings in the final of the U19 national championship made him an undisputed all-rounder. He was now seen as a bright prospect of Nepali cricket.

He was an integral part of the Nepal squad in the 2003 U19 Youth Asia Cup held in Pakistan. The team, which included notable players like Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan, and Sharad Vesawkar, secured the title, which qualified Nepal for the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh. Despite his impressive performances in the domestic circuit, Khatri didn’t get many chances to play in the World Cup matches. This lack of opportunities at the international level, despite his evident talent, was one of the challenges he faced in his cricketing career.

In the selection tournament prior to Nepal’s tour of Kuwait, which marked Nepal’s first-ever Twenty20 international series, Khatri was recognized as the best bowler. Ironically, despite this accolade, he wasn’t given a chance to play in the matches against Kuwait. Disheartened by this decision, Khatri realized that there might be underlying issues affecting his selection and decided it would be better to focus on other areas of life besides cricket. 

Khatri’s decision to leave Nepal in 2008 shocked everyone, particularly those who had started seeing him as a bright prospect for Nepali cricket. It was apparent that Khatri’s spirits were low. However, Khatri’s love for cricket remained steadfast. In England, where he had gone to continue his studies, he played cricket for several clubs, including Blackheath Cricket Club. 

After completing his studies in England, Khatri returned to Nepal and leased a piece of land to build a cricket ground. He registered a club named ‘Machhapuchhre Cricket Club’. The ground, located in Nadipur, boasted a stunning view of the gleaming Machhapuchhre mountain, making it the most beautiful ground in Pokhara. Khatri continued to nurture the skills of his clubmates and, under his captaincy, Machhapuchhre Cricket Club consistently emerged as the best club in Pokhara. No other club had won as many titles in club-level cricket in Pokhara as Machhapuchhre Cricket Club.

Khatri’s contributions to promoting cricket in the nearby districts of Kaski were remarkable. He organized age-level cricket competitions, women’s cricket tournaments, and several leagues for men’s cricket as well. Through his efforts, cricket gained significant popularity and support in the region, fostering a new generation of cricket enthusiasts and players. 

Khatri was a permanent member of the district and regional teams, and his cricket career was progressing well. However, in 2015, he faced a lengthy three-year ban for speaking out against the cricket board. This ban sidelined him from the sport. Despite the setback, Khatri continued to train aspiring cricketers at his ground in Nadipur. He also traveled to India to play in several tournaments. His passion for cricket remained undiminished, and it was hard to keep him away from the game. In 2017, he organized the Machhapuchhre Cricket League (MCL), the largest league in the Gandaki region. Operating under a franchise system, the league captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts nationwide. 

After the lockdown, Khatri was asked to halt his cricketing pursuits in Nadipur, highlighting a sudden demand for government quarters around the ground. The ground that once produced and nurtured many cricketers now lay in ruins. Khatri felt dispirited, yet he couldn’t stay away from the game that meant the world to him. In 2021, Khatri once again built a club ground in Lekhnath, entirely funded by himself. Though he no longer plays competitive cricket, he is frequently spotted practicing with aspiring cricketers at his self-built ground. 

Numerous Indian and local clubs and teams regularly visit to play matches there. And that is how Khatri covers his expenses. Reflecting on his life, Khatri humbly admits cricket has been his sole focus. The cricketers around him draw inspiration from his career and seek to learn from his experience. Their respect motivates him to continue advancing and contributing to the sport’s development. When asked about his life, he simply replies, “I’m all about cricket. I’m a cricketer for life.”