After winning the first season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Janakpur Bolts are back with high hopes for another strong run in Season 2. With growing excitement across the country, the defending champions have revealed the list of players they’re keeping for the new season.
Out of six, they have retained four players from their title-winning squad: Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kishore Mahato, and Lalit Rajbanshi. Sher Malla and Mayan Yadav’s status is still undecided.
By keeping a solid mix of experience and young talent, the Bolts are looking to build on last year’s success. As champions, they know the pressure is high, but they seem ready to defend their crown with confidence and unity.
Official Retained Players List
Through their official Facebook Page, Janakpur Bolts have announced their 6 retained players list for the upcoming NPL Season 2.
The following is the list of players who have been retained for the NPL season 2:
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Aasif Sheikh | Wicket-keeper Batter (Right-handed batsman) |
| Anil Kumar Sah | Batter (Right-handed batsman) |
| Kishore Mahato | Bowler (Right-arm medium pacer) |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | Bowler (Left-arm orthodox spinner) |
| Sher Malla (Not fixed) | All-rounder (Left-handed batsman, Left-arm orthodox spinner) |
| Mayan Yadav (Not fixed) | Bowler (Right-arm medium pacer) |
Janakpur Bolts have retained a strong core of six players for the NPL 2025 season. The squad includes experienced batsmen like Aasif Sheikh and Anil Kumar Sah, supported by a solid bowling lineup featuring Lalit Rajbanshi and Mayan Yadav. This balanced mix of skills gives the Bolts both stability and flexibility on the field.
With all-rounder Sher Malla adding depth to both batting and bowling, and young talent Kishore Mahato in the pace attack, Janakpur looks ready to defend its title. The team’s blend of experience and fresh energy aims to keep them competitive and hungry for another championship run.
Reason Behind The Retention
Janakpur Bolts kept these players because they helped the team win last season. Players like Aasif Sheikh and Anil Kumar Sah are good batsmen who can score runs. Bowlers like Lalit Rajbanshi and Mayan Yadav help take important wickets.
Sher Malla is good at both batting and bowling, which helps the team a lot. They also kept Kishore Mahato, a young player, to bring new energy. This mix of players gives the team a better chance to win again in NPL 2025.
Janakpur Bolts’ NPL Season 1 Summary
| Match # | Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biratnagar Kings | Won | By 8 wickets (27 balls remaining) |
| 2 | Karnali Yaks | Won | By 8 wickets (29 balls remaining) |
| 3 | Pokhara Avengers | Won | By 7 wickets (17 balls remaining) |
| 4 | Lumbini Lions | Won | By 1 run |
| 5 | Sudur Paschim Royals | Lost | By 72 runs |
| 6 | Kathmandu Gurkhas | Won | By 5 wickets (25 balls remaining) |
| 7 | Chitwan Rhinos | Lost | By 32 runs |
| 8 | Sudur Paschim Royals (Q1) | Lost | By 8 wickets (9 balls remaining) |
| 9 | Karnali Yaks (Qualifier 2) | Won | By 2 wickets (6 balls remaining) |
| 10 | Sudur Paschim Royals (Final) | Won | By 5 wickets (4 balls remaining) |
Janakpur Bolts played really well in NPL 2024. They won their first four matches and looked strong from the start. They lost only two games in the league stage but still made it to the top. The team stayed focused and worked well together.
Even after losing in Qualifier 1, they didn’t give up. They won Qualifier 2 against Karnali Yaks in a close match. In the final, they chased a big score and beat Sudur Paschim Royals by 5 wickets. Janakpur Bolts became the champions of NPL Season 1 and showed they were the best team.
What’s Next For Janakpur Bolts in NPL Season 2
After winning the first season, Janakpur Bolts will enter NPL Season 2 as the team to beat. They will aim to keep their winning form and defend their title. Other teams will be stronger this year, so the Bolts need to stay focused and improve even more. With a good mix of old and new players, they are getting ready for another big season. Fans will be hoping for more strong performances and another trophy run.
Pokhara Avengers 2025 Retained Players: Stronger, Sharper, Ready!
