Nepal taking inspiration from MS Dhoni [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @MikkhailVaswani/X.com]Nepal’s narrow four-run defeat against England at the Wankhede Stadium may have ended in heartbreak, but it also offered clarity. The Himalayan nation pushed one of world cricket’s biggest teams to the brink and walked away believing they belong at this level. In the aftermath of the game, batter Nandan Yadav summed up Nepal’s mindset with a simple line, and it had the mention of none other than the great ‘MS Dhoni’ himself.It was not a casual remark but a shift in how Nepal wanted to approach the rest of the T20 World Cup 2026.Nandan Yadav advises Nepal to take inspiration from MS DhoniAgainst England, Nepal showed fearlessness, composure, and skill. Chasing 185 on a tricky surface, they never looked overawed. Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee dismantled England’s middle overs, attacking even Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer.When both fell, the pressure moment arrived at the exact phase where Nepal fell short. That is where the MS Dhoni reference fits in.Talking in a post-match press conference, Nepal’s Nandan Yadav was asked "What lessons does Nepal take from this England game moving forward?." To this, he replied, "Hitting some sixes like MS Dhoni".Abhi⚒️ @abhi_backup07 Question: What lessons does Nepal take from this England game moving forward? Nandan Yadav said "Hitting some sixes like MS Dhoni". 🫡🫡 Feb 9, 2026, 10:40 AM This reference makes sense because MS is someone who mastered the art of finishing chases, reading bowlers, and choosing the right balls to attack. Nepal, despite their growth, lacked that final-over clarity against England. Needing 10 off the last over, they had momentum, belief, and a roaring crowd behind them. But Sam Curran held his nerve, while Nepal just missed the clean blows that could have sealed history. Nepal hungry for gloryLokesh Bam’s late blitz brought Nepal within touching distance. His power and intent showed Nepal have the skill to close games. What they lacked was experience in those exact moments, such as knowing when to take risks, when to rotate strike, and when to trust a boundary option. That is the “MS Dhoni lesson” Nepal are now talking about. For a developing team, this loss could become a turning point rather than a setback. Nepal did not lose because they were outclassed. They lost because they were a few decisions short in the final overs. Regardless, Nepal seem no longer satisfied with brave losses and moral victories. They want wins. They want to finish games. They want to take control in crunch moments rather than hope opponents make mistakes.Nepal to face Italy nextThat being said, Nepal will be back in action on Thursday, February 12, when they face Italy in the 17th match of Group C at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM local time. After their spirited but narrow loss to England, Nepal, seated fourth in Group C, will look to regroup quickly and convert strong performances into points as they chase their first win of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
