Chitwan Rhinos
 Official logo | |
| Nickname(s) | CR |
|---|---|
| League | Nepal Premier League |
| Personnel | |
| Captain | Kushal Malla |
| Coach | Kalam Ali |
| Owner | Chitwan Medical College (CMC) |
| Team information | |
| City | Bharatpur, Chitwan |
| Colours | |
| Founded | 5 September 2024 |
| History | |
| Nepal Premier League wins | 0 |
| Official website | chitwanrhinos |
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).
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
| Year | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (front) | Shirt sponsor (back) | Chest branding | Sleeve 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 रू1.76 crore (US$130,000), making it the fifth expensive team in the league.[22][23]
Players
Current squad
- Players with international caps as of start of 2025 NPL are listed in bold.
| No. | Name | Nationality | Birth date | Batting style | Bowling style | Year signed | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijan Dhakal |  Nepal |
6 May 1999 (aged 26) | Right-handed | Left-arm medium | 2024 | रू10 lakh (US$7,400) | |
| 17 | Kamal Singh Airee | Nepal |
19 December 2000 (aged 24) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | 2024 | रू10 lakh (US$7,400) | |
| 18 | Deepak Bohara | Nepal |
19 June 2005 (aged 20) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | 2024 | रू5 lakh (US$3,700) | |
| 28 | Gautam KC | Nepal |
25 June 2001 (aged 24) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | 2024 | रू2 lakh (US$1,500) | |
| 55 | Kushal Malla | Nepal |
5 March 2004 (aged 21) | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox | 2024 | रू20 lakh (US$15,000) | Captain[26] |
| 81 | Amar Singh Rautela | Nepal |
5 September 1993 (aged 31) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | 2024 | रू5 lakh (US$3,700) | |
| 18 | Dev Khanal | Nepal |
29 May 2005 (aged 20) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | 2025 | रू15 lakh (US$11,000) | |
| 21 | Arjun Saud | Nepal |
29 June 2003 (aged 22) | Right-handed | — | 2025 | रू15 lakh (US$11,000) | |
| Bipin Rawal | Nepal |
25 September 2004 (aged 20) | Left-handed | — | 2025 | रू5 lakh (US$3,700) | ||
| Bipin Acharya | Nepal |
22 February 2001 (aged 24) | Left-handed | Right-arm off break | 2025 | रू2 lakh (US$1,500) | ||
| Ranjeet Kumar | Nepal |
7 April 2006 (aged 19) | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox | 2025 | रू2 lakh (US$1,500) |
Support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Kalam Ali |
| Performance Analyst | Rajan Shah |
| Team Mentor | Manish Sakhalkar |
| Source: Official website | |
Statistics
By season
| Year | Mat | Won | Lost | NR | Win% | Group Stage | Final Result | Most Runs | Most Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 50.00 | 3/8 | Playoffs | Ravi Bopara (286) | Sohail Tanvir (14) |
| Total | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 50.00 | ||||
Source: ESPNcricinfo[27]
By opposition
| Opposition | Span | M | W | L | NR | Win (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biratnagar Kings | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
|
| Janakpur Bolts | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Karnali Yaks | 2024 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
|
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Lumbini Lions | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
|
| Pokhara Avengers | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Sudurpaschim Royals | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Total | 2024 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 50% |
Last updated: 21 December 2024
References
- ^ "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Rhinos finish 4th in the inaugural edition of the Nepal Premier League". . 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ^ "CAN to organise Nepal Premier League in November and December". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League 2024 start date announced". SportsAdda. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ Staff, cricnepal (2024-09-05). "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Chitwan Rhinos secure five-wicket victory against Kathmandu Gurkhas". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "Sohail Tanvir's Five-Wicket Haul Powers Chitwan Rhinos to Victory". WicketNepal. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "Chitwan Rhinos secure consecutive win after defeating Pokhara Avengers". Republica. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Yaks edge out Rhinos in a low-scoring thriller". . 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "Chitwan Rhinos defeat Sudurpaschim Royals by 33 runs in NPL". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Lumbini Lions defeats Chitwan Rhinos". The Himalayan Times. 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "Biratnagar Kings beat Chitwan Rhinos by 51 runs". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ "Rhinos defeat Janakpur in a thrilling contest". . 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "Karnali Yaks defeat Chitwan Rhinos to secure qualifier berth". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ^ "Most runs in Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ "Most wickets For Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ "Chitwan Rhinos unveil updated logo ahead of NPL Season 2". Makalu Khabar. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "चितवन राइनोजले सार्वजनिक गर्यो नयाँ लोगो". Sauraha Online (in Nepali). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "Chitwan Rhinos' new logo for NPL Season 2". Bajarkochirfar. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "CAN secures whopping funds from NPL franchise ownership auction". Cricnepal. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Chitwan Rhinos Reveal Retained Players for Nepal Premier League Season 2". Cricnepal. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "NPL completes player auction for second edition with 37 signings". online khabar. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "Kushal Malla was confirmed as the side's captain on the eve of the tournament". . Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Results of Nepal Premier League". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.