Nepuni Basant, a young Naga boy from the Mao tribe, has made history by becoming the first professional cricketer from Senapati District, Manipur. Despite football and other sports dominating the district, Nepuni followed his passion for cricket, playing for Manipur U-19, and earning his first MNCA Award for Men’s U-23 after scoring 391 runs in 6 innings and taking 5 wickets. In this exclusive interview with ourtimes.in, he opens up about his journey, challenges, and aspirations.
Introduce yourself. Tell us about your background and what’s your expertise as a cricketer.
Nepuni Basant: Hi, my name is Nepuni Basant, and I come from Senapati, a small town in Manipur. I belong to the Mao tribe of the Naga community. My mother is a housewife, and my father, who was a farmer, passed away when I was just five years old. Since then, I’ve been living with my grandparents. As a cricketer, I’m a bowling all-rounder, but I also work on my batting skills. I’ve had the privilege of representing Manipur at various levels, including the U-19 team.
Who introduced you to cricket, and how did you start playing?
Nepuni Basant: Growing up, I used to watch my brothers play cricket on the local grounds, and I developed a liking for the game. Even though football is more popular in our district and state, cricket caught my attention. I started playing with my brothers, and it became my passion over time.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for introducing you to professional cricket?
Nepuni Basant: I’d like to thank my parents for their encouragement, even though they weren’t directly involved in sports. I also owe a lot to Sandeep Chakraborty and Heman Singh, the owners of Sangai Champion Cricket Club. They played a huge role in helping me take the step toward professional cricket and guided me along the way.
Do you get enough support from family, friends, and society?
Nepuni Basant: Yes, I do get a lot of support from my family and friends, especially those who believe in my potential. However, there are some who feel that I should pursue something else, as cricket isn’t seen as a viable career option by many in our community. But I’m determined to prove otherwise.
Who is your cricketing idol?
Nepuni Basant: My cricketing idol is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I’ve been watching him play since I was a kid, and he’s always inspired me with his calmness, leadership, and skills. I hope to become a cricketer like him someday.
What has been the highest point of your career so far, and where do you want to see yourself in the future?
Nepuni Basant: The highest point in my career so far was being selected for the Manipur U-19 team. It marked the beginning of my professional journey. I remember my debut match against Andhra Pradesh, where I took 4 wickets in 9 overs and scored 24 not out. Recently, I received the MNCA Award for Men’s U-23 for being the highest run-scorer, with 391 runs in 6 innings and 5 wickets. In the future, I see myself playing at the national level and representing India.
Are there any challenges you face as a cricketer?
Nepuni Basant: One of the biggest challenges I face is the daily travel. After joining the Sangai Champion Cricket Club in Imphal on the advice of Sandeep Chakraborty, I had to travel 120 km every day by bus for practice and matches. It’s exhausting, but I’m committed to my goal, so I take it as part of the journey.
On behalf of the team at ourtimes.in, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nepuni Basant for sharing his inspiring journey with us. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors, and we’re confident he’ll continue to make Senapati and Manipur proud on the cricket field!
