Thinley Namgay   

National cricketer, Ranjung Mikyo Dorji has joined a Nepali cricket franchise team, Lalitpur Patriots, to play in the upcoming Everest Premier League 2021 beginning September 25.    

The 21-year-old cricketer is the first Bhutanese to feature in an international cricket club. Mikyo Dorji will join his new team as a batting all-rounder.    

Lalitpur Patriots are the defending champions of the Everest Premier League, Nepal’s top cricket league where seven teams compete.

Ranjung Mikyo Dorji from Thimphu is currently pursuing Bachelors in Arts at St Stephens College in New Delhi, India. He said that he got an email from Lalitpur Patriots’ management inviting him to play for their club. “During the match against Nepal in the 2019 South Asian Games, I performed well.  This could be a reason why Lalitpur selected me for this league,” Mikyo said. 

Mikyo Dorji made his international debut in 2018 against Malaysia. So far, he has featured in the nine international games representing Bhutan.  

He has been with the Bhutanese national team for the last four years and was one of the youngest in the squad when he joined the national team in 2018.   

Mikyo Dorji said that the upcoming league in Nepal would not disturb his studies. “Tournament in Nepal would take only 20 days. At present, I am attending online classes. I will request the college management to grant me leave.”  

He said that his contract was just for this tournament.   

Mikyo Dorji recently won the Bhutan T20 Smash with SKD All-Stars in June this year. SKD All-Stars defeated Dragon Strikers by four wickets at the Jigmethang cricket ground in Thimphu.  

He said that he was interested in cricket from an early age. “My parents are supportive.” 

Edited by Tshering Palden