Kathmandu Goldens have bolstered their squad with the recruitment of Gujarat cricketer Jaykishan Kolsawala and Ranji player Sunny Patel for the second edition of Dhangadi Premier League (DPL) scheduled to begin from March 31 at the SP grounds in Dhangadi.

Both the players have experience of playing in Nepal having previously featured in the Everest Premier League Twenty20 held at the TU Stadium from December 18-30 last year. The Indian duo had played for Lalitpur Patriots and made a huge impact in the team. Patriots captain Gyanendra Malla will be leading the Goldens this season.

They will open the tournament campaign with the match against Sompal Kami’s Team Chauraha Dhangadi in the inaugural day. The DPL features six city-based franchises also including Biratnagar Kings, Mahendranagar United, CYC Attariya and Rupandehi Challengers. According to the DPL regulations, each team should include two international recruits. This is the first time DPL is featuring foreign cricketers. Challengers have recruited Oman national cricketer Sufyan Mehmood and Indian cricketer Dipak Prasad in their squad. 

Wicketkeeper batsman Kolsawala has the experience of playing in nine First Class and four List A games in India. He was the leading run getter for Patriots and third highest in the EPL making 227 runs with one half century as an opener. Leg break bowler Patel is the most experienced among the two as he has played 17 List A and 13 First Class matches along with eight Twenty20s.

Meanwhile, organisers Dhangadi Cricket Academy has appointed singer Pramod Kharel as the goodwill ambassador of the DPL. An avid lover of Nepali cricket, Kharel had sung the anthem song of the first edition. DPL is becoming the highest cash-prized tournament in domestic cricket history with the champions set to receive a purse of Rs 2.5 million. The runners-up will take home Rs 1 million.