Chitwan Rhinos vs Sudur Paschim Royals: Match Preview – 2025-12-04, 10:15 GMT

Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Series: Nepal Premier League (NPL)
Match: Chitwan Rhinos vs Sudur Paschim Royals (Match 24)
Weather Forecast: 0°C – Challenging batting conditions expected

As the Nepal Premier League enters its crucial stage, fans are in for an electrifying encounter between Chitwan Rhinos and Sudur Paschim Royals. The match promises to be a nail-biting contest, with both teams eyeing a pivotal win in their campaign. The cold weather at Kirtipur may play a key role in determining the outcome, as it could favor the bowlers and create opportunities for aggressive batting.

Key Storylines

Chitwan Rhinos – A Balanced Attack

Chitwan Rhinos enter the match with a strong batting line-up and a formidable bowling attack. Over the last five matches, Ravi Bopara has been the standout performer with the bat, amassing 207 runs at a high strike rate. His ability to anchor the innings or accelerate the scoring makes him a vital asset. Dawid Malan, Kushal Malla, and Saif Zaib also provide a solid middle and lower order.

On the bowling front, Alpesh Ramjani and Sohail Tanvir have been in exceptional form, picking up 9 and 8 wickets respectively. Their ability to exploit the conditions and break partnerships will be crucial for the Rhinos.

Sudur Paschim Royals – Run-Scorers and Wicket-Takers

Sudur Paschim Royals will rely heavily on their top-order batters to post a competitive total. Binod Bhandari has been the star performer, scoring 165 runs in the last five games. Harmeet Singh and Dipendra Singh Airee have also been consistent, with 108 and 103 runs respectively. Aarif Sheikh has provided valuable support in the middle order.

In the bowling department, Abhinash Bohara has been the standout with 11 wickets, while Harmeet Singh and Scott Kuggeleijn have chipped in with 9 and 8 wickets respectively. Their ability to maintain pressure and pick up key wickets could be the difference for the Royals.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form

Chitwan Rhinos and Sudur Paschim Royals have met in several thrilling encounters in the NPL. Both teams have shown their mettle on different occasions, but the last five matches highlight a balanced contest between the two sides.

• Chitwan Rhinos’ Top Scorers (Last 5 Matches):
  Ravi Bopara (207), Dawid Malan (110), Kushal Malla (97), Saif Zaib (93)

• Sudur Paschim Royals’ Top Scorers (Last 5 Matches):
  Binod Bhandari (165), Harmeet Singh (108), Dipendra Singh Airee (103), Aarif Sheikh (91)

• Chitwan Rhinos’ Top Wicket-Takers (Last 5 Matches):
  Alpesh Ramjani (9), Sohail Tanvir (8), Ranjit Kumar (7), Rijan Dhakal (5)

• Sudur Paschim Royals’ Top Wicket-Takers (Last 5 Matches):
  Abhinash Bohara (11), Harmeet Singh (9), Scott Kuggeleijn (8), Dipendra Singh Airee (6)

Weather and Venue Conditions

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur is a balanced venue, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. However, with the temperature at 0°C, the conditions may favor the bowlers, especially during the early stages of the game. The cold weather could also slow the pitch down slightly, giving seamers and spinners an edge.

Toss and Prediction

The toss could be a decisive factor in this match. The team winning the toss may opt to bat first to take advantage of the early dew and set a challenging target. However, if the wicket remains slow and difficult to score on, the toss holder might prefer to bowl first and ask the opposition to chase a total under the weather conditions.

Prediction

This match is expected to be a tightly contested affair. Chitwan Rhinos have the edge in terms of balanced batting and a potent bowling attack, while Sudur Paschim Royals will look to their explosive openers and experienced middle-order to counter. Given the cold conditions and the form of both teams, a low-scoring game is likely.

Prediction: A close match, with a slight edge to Chitwan Rhinos if they can capitalize on the conditions and maintain discipline in both batting and bowling.

Final Word

Chitwan Rhinos vs Sudur Paschim Royals is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matches of the Nepal Premier League. With a mix of big-hitting batters and wily bowlers, the battle on the field is set to be intense. Fans can expect a thrilling game that could go down to the wire.