Karnali Province Cricketer Anuj Kumar Chanara Announces Retirement from Provincial Team

Surkhet. Anuj Kumar Chanara is a well-known name in Karnali Province cricket. The 20-year-old Chanara is recognized as a fast bowler in cricket.

He has been playing in various domestic competitions in Nepal from Karnali Province for the past 6 years. He is the first player from Karnali to reach the national team's training camp. Recently, alleging unfair treatment, he has announced that he will no longer play for Karnali Province.

Writing on social media on Tuesday morning, he accused the team management of repeatedly keeping him out of the squad. 'I have been playing cricket continuously for Karnali Province for the last 5-6 years. I also participated in the U-19 team camp,' he said, 'I have always given my best contribution for Karnali Province, but for the last 3 years, I have not received fair treatment from the team.'

Anuj stated that he was forced to write on social media. 'Even when I was included in the playing-11, I was usually allowed to bowl only 3-4 overs in a 50-over match,' he said, 'Even after taking 1-2 wickets in the opening overs, I was not given my full 10-over spell. After that, I was given opportunities for only 2-4 overs in every match. When I couldn't take wickets, I was kept out of the team for 2-3 consecutive matches.'

Anuj mentioned that whenever he questioned the captain and coach, he only received the answer that 'it is a spin track.' He added, 'Despite that, I always kept myself ready for the team because cricket is a team sport and the team's victory was my priority.'

Anuj also mentioned that in the 081 PM Cup match held in Dang against Police Club, he bowled 10 overs, conceding 29 runs and taking 4 wickets.

In the 2082 PM Cup, the match against Lumbini was canceled due to rain. After that, he said he took 2 wickets for 33 runs in 5 overs against Sudurpashchim.

According to Anuj, after that, he got opportunities for only 2-3 overs in 2 consecutive matches. 'In which I couldn't take wickets,' he said, 'And then I was kept out of the team for 3 consecutive matches. When I got a chance again against Police Club, I took 2 wickets for 35 runs in 6 overs.'

But then again, he said he was kept out of today's match against Gandaki. He said, 'When I asked the captain, I got the answer that I do whatever orders come from above. Considering all these circumstances, I have decided not to play for Karnali Province from today.'

Anuj had run away from India to play cricket in Nepal

Born on 062 Mangsir 15 in Nalgad Municipality-5 of Jajarkot, Anuj is a player who has come through a lot of struggle. Although he was born here, he went to India with his parents at a young age.

His parents and siblings all live in India. His parents work ordinary jobs in India to educate their children. He received his school-level education in India. He returned to Nepal without taking his final 10th-grade exams.

While studying there, he used to play casual games. 'While playing, my interest in cricket grew,' he recalled the past, 'After that, without even informing my parents in India, I ran away and came to Nepal to play cricket.'

Due to his passion for cricket, he could not continue his studies after running away to Nepal.

Anuj said, 'I came to Nepal with the determination that I would become a cricket player no matter what. I had a nephew in Chitwan. I started practicing cricket at the Chitwan Cricket Academy while staying with him.'

He was 15 years old at that time. Having received training at the Royal Cricket Academy in Chitwan, he has played all the domestic games held in Nepal recently.

He considers his nephew in Chitwan as the main source of inspiration for reaching this point in cricket.

'He lived in Chitwan, and when I was in India, I knew nothing about Nepal cricket,' Anuj said, 'My nephew gave me information about Nepali cricket, and after I came here, he helped me play according to my interest.'

Anuj, who initially practiced by playing games while staying with his nephew, recalled that his nephew even paid his academy fees many times. He was included in the national team's closed training camp from Karnali for the first time in 2021.

Anuj also mentioned that his name appeared in the U-19 Asia Cup training. He has been playing for Karnali Province in tournaments like the PM Cup for the last 6 years.

Anuj, who played cricket with a tennis ball during school time, practiced with a leather ball for about 3 months after coming to Nepal. At that time, the selection for the MM Cup was going on in Karnali. 'I participated in the selection match at that time, and I made it to the team on my first attempt. I was very happy then,' he said.

Anuj also performed excellently in the MM Cup. Immediately after that, he performed well in the PM Cup as well. After that, he was included in the national team's closed training. Anuj considers that moment a memorable moment of his career.

Anuj recalled that Karnali Province defeated Gandaki in his debut match of the PM Cup. He mentioned that in the 079 PM Cup, while playing for Karnali, he achieved an important 31-run victory against Province No. 1 and was also the 'Player of the Match'.

'I took 4 wickets for 16 runs in 3.4 overs,' he said. He also played EPL from the Biratnagar Warriors team. He also played the Kathmandu Mayor Cup under the captaincy of Sandeep Lamichhane. In the 2024 Bir Ganesh Man T-20 tournament held in Mulpani, he played for Karnali.

Goal to play for the national team

Anuj's main goal is to wear the country's jersey and play for the national team. However, he says that due to his weak family background, there are as many challenges as there are dreams.

'It has been almost 6 years since I started playing cricket, and I am not in a position to be self-reliant just by playing,' he said. He mentioned that he also gets suggestions from his family to go abroad from time to time.