Nepal fan base craze takes over at Wankhede Stadium [Source: X]Wankhede Cricket Stadium in Mumbai hosted the England versus Nepal clash on February 8, but the atmosphere didn’t feel like a neutral game at all. The Wankhede Stadium was full of Nepal cricket fans, with Nepal flags everywhere and loud cheers for their team as they took on England. As their opponents, England, came in to bat first under the leadership of Harry Brook, the atmosphere at the Wankhede was electric. It had been just a day since the stadium hosted its inaugural ceremony with the India versus USA clash, but apparently, Nepal fans already taken over. Wankhede filled with Nepal fans a day after the inauguration The opening ceremony saw Bollywood stars Badshah and Nora Fatehi perform, while Rohit Sharma did the honours by lighting up the Wankhede with his presence and presenting the T20 World Cup trophy. While the hosts of the T20 World Cup 2026 are India and Sri Lanka, it seemed that neighbouring country Nepal was not behind in celebration either. The Wankhede Stadium, instead of a blue wave, witnessed red madness all around during the Nepal vs England clash. Notably, all of Nepal’s matches are scheduled to be hosted in Mumbai, and the large fan base had already swarmed the venue with their country’s flags and massive support for their team. Netizens hail Nepal fan craze at Wankhede Stadium The Wankhede erupted with Nepal supporters on Sunday, with clips going viral showing Nepali fans dancing and vibing with traditional musical instruments both inside and outside the stadium. The growth of Nepal cricket was remarkable, reflected in the fan support present at the venue, and netizens were quick to commend the mammoth backing the team received. Let’s take a look at how netizens reacted to Nepali fans at Wankhede:SouLKirmada @BabluuuuOp bruhh wtf is this nepali crowd at wankhede!! this is some unreal craze 😭🥶| #ENGvsNEP #T20WorldCup2026 Feb 8, 2026, 3:27 PM Nepal's Rhinos Army 🇳🇵🥁 @therhinosarmy साम्राज्य दुई हारे, हारेन शान हाम्रो। A new rivalry begins today. Anglo-Nepal Derby. Feb 8, 2026, 9:58 AM Mufaddal Vohra @mufaddal_vohra Nepal fans have come in huge numbers at the Wankhede Stadium. - What a growth of Nepal cricket! 🇳🇵❤️ Feb 8, 2026, 3:10 PM Sports Entertainment @sportsEnt15 @mufaddal_vohra Those are all Indians only pretending as Nepalis Hitman_hits @Hitman_Hits264 @mufaddal_vohra Wankhede or Kathmandu? 🏟️🇳🇵 The "Sea of Blue" in Mumbai today is breathtaking! To have the 2nd highest ticket sales after India proves that Nepal is the new powerhouse of cricket fandom. The atmosphere for the national anthem was chills! 🏔️🏏 khalil shah @khalilshah78 @mufaddal_vohra Wankhede turning into mini Nepal. Dream moment for Sher Malla, the kind every cricketer grows up chasing. 🇳🇵✨ Viratology @Nafees_22 @mufaddal_vohra Wankhede atmosphere feels like India is playing. - Big credit to Nepal fans and great work by ICC, hosting all the games of Nepal in Mumbai. 👏 Feb 8, 2026, 3:38 PM Rakeshcricket @Rcm494 Nepal fans at Wankhede stadium One of the most passionate fans Feb 8, 2026, 2:46 PM Yogesh Goswami @yogeshgoswami_ NEPAL FEVER TAKES OVER WANKHEDE! ◾ Sea of Nepal fans turn Wankhede into a home ground 🙌 ◾ Atmosphere feels like India is playing - Incredible rise of Nepal cricket on the world stage 🤯 #NEPvENG ◾ Huge credit to Nepal fans & ICC for hosting all NEP games in Mumbai 👏 Feb 8, 2026, 3:13 PM Janhavee Moole @janhavee Hear the roar of fans at Wankhede, for ENG vs NEP… not as much for India but definitely close… #T20WorldCup2026 #ENGvsNEP @BBCSport Feb 8, 2026, 3:02 PM Akaran.A @Akaran_1 WANKHEDE OVERFLOWING WITH NEPAL FAN POWER! 🇳🇵🙌 - Incredible energy — the support isn’t just loud, it’s a whole army backing Nepal! 🏏🔥 #T20WorldCup2026 #ENGvsNEP #NepalFans #WankhedeStadium #CricketFever Feb 8, 2026, 3:34 PM Nepal dominate England earlyFor the unaware, Nepal are placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup 2026, where they will face Italy, Scotland and West Indies next, along with their ongoing clash against England. In the match, Nepal had already sent their fans into celebration mode as debutant Sher Malla dismissed England’s explosive top-order batter Philip Salt. Jos Buttler soon followed, as Nandan Yadav picked up his wicket in the fifth over before the powerplay ended. Shortly after the powerplay, England were under pressure again as Sandeep Lamichhane dismissed Tom Banton to leave them reeling at 57 for 3 in 6.1 overs. This huge support might be one of the reasons Nepal are playing so well. One of the leading cricketing nations, England, were already three wickets down against an emerging side like Nepal. The growth of Nepal cricket is commendable It felt surreal, but it was reality as Nepal struck with full intensity. Interestingly, this is also Nepal’s first-ever encounter against England. Nepal have also impressed in the ICC T20 World Cup warm-up matches, winning both games against the United Arab Emirates and Canada while chasing solid totals of 145 and 161 respectively. Ahead of the tournament, Nepal also played a T20I series against West Indies in September 2025, where they outperformed the Caribbeans to clinch the series 2-1, underlining the steady rise of the Rohit Paudel-led side.
