Robin Singh appointed mentor of Lumbini Lions for NPL second edition

KATHMANDU: Lumbini Lions has appointed Indian coach Robin Singh as mentor for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), which will be held from November 17 to December 13.

Singh, a 62-year-old former cricketer, has extensive coaching experience. He has managed Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League, and has also coached the UAE national team. After retiring from his playing career, Singh initially became the coach of India’s under-19 team.

He became coach of Hong Kong in 2004 and played a role in qualifying Hong Kong for the Asia Cup. In 2006 he became coach of India A and subsequently worked as fielding coach for the Indian national team in 2007 and 2008. In the first season of the IPL in 2008, Singh was coach of the Deccan Chargers.

He became head coach of Mumbai Indians in 2010 and remained with the team for three seasons. He was involved in the coaching structure when Mumbai won the IPL title in 2013 and became coach of Barbados Tridents after 2012.

Singh became director of cricket and head coach of the UAE national team in 2020. Under his coaching, the UAE played in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. In the International League T20, which started in 2023, he became general manager of MI Emirates for the first season, and in the next season, he became head coach of MI Emirates and contributed to the team becoming champions.

As an all-rounder, he played one Test and 136 One Day International (ODI) matches for India. He scored 27 runs in his single Test match, scored more than 2,000 runs and took 69 wickets in ODIs.

With Singh’s arrival and his two decades of coaching experience, Lumbini Lions are confident of achieving good results in the second season of the NPL.

Lumbini Lions chairman Ishwar GC said, “Bringing Robin Singh, full of experience and talent in international cricket, to Lumbini is not only an opportunity for us but also to elevate overall Nepali cricket to a new height. The experiences and strategies he learned in his glorious cricket career will inspire Nepali cricket players, and Lumbini Lions considers itself extremely fortunate that a world-class player and coach like him is leading our team. Singh's leadership and contribution are making our team very strong, and this will certainly take our goal to the heights of success.”

Robin Singh expressed his happiness at becoming mentor of Lumbini Lions and said he is excited to share his experience with the young, talented players on the team.

“I am very happy to be a part of Lumbini Lions in the NPL. Cricket is growing rapidly in Nepal, and I am eager to share my experience with the young talents here and contribute to building a winning culture. The Lions have great potential. Together, we want to make this season truly unforgettable for our supporters and for Nepali cricket,” Singh said.

Lumbini Lions' marquee player is Nepali national team captain Rohit Kumar Poudel. The team has also signed Australian D'Arcy Short and Italian bowler Thomas Draca as overseas players for the second season, and other foreign players will be announced soon.