Sunam "Sunny" Gautam, recently made it to the history books as the first Nepali cricketer to be named in the "Team of the Season" of Victorian Premier Cricket.
"I am thrilled to be the first Nepali in Australia to be recognised," Gautam said.
Peter Di Venuto who is the Director of Cricket at Gautam's Greenvale Kangaroos team, says he is happy for "Sunny".
"Sunny fully deserved to be in the team (of the season). His first half of the season was phenomenal," Di Venuto told SBS.
However, Di Venuto also suggested Gautam needs to work hard in the offseason to unlock his potential.
"Sunny is a terrific player who can win you games. A superb fielder and a great all-rounder. But he needs to work hard to move up the ladder", he said.
The season saw Gautam scored 644 runs which included a century against Prahran in a T20 match.
What fellow players say
Kangaroos' new Captain and coach Matthew Love agree with Di Venuto's assessment of their star Nepali recruit.
Love also points towards Gautam's rise and fall in the season, saying "Sunny" dropped midway through the season.
Recognising the talent Gautam has, Love has already started helping his Nepali team-mate.
"Whatever the format of the game, Sunny now bats at Number 4 - he knows that's when he comes to bat - I think it is important for his mindset."
"His energy level in the field is great, and he's scored at almost a run a ball all season," Love said.
Kyle Adams has known Gautam for almost six years. He reckons "Sunny" has come a long way in those six years.
"I have been his mate both on and off the field. He has been a great source of inspiration for many young aspirant cricketers in the Nepali community. He's now starting to understanding this impact on his community and has raised the bar in his game."
"I could neither leave cricket nor devote time to it"
"Sunny has this amazing talent to create something out of nothing. He's now showing better decisions on the pitch. His selection in the "team of the season" is a testament to this change," Adams told us.
Gautam remembering his early days in Australia says he was struggling to a lot to juggle his love of cricket with his studies and work.
Sunam's contribution to the Nepali community is starting to be recognised (Facebook) Source: Facebook
"I could neither leave cricket nor devote time to it," he said.
"As an international student, I had to maintain my attendance and do well academically. I was also working to support myself and then I was crazy about cricket. I would jump from trains to trams to busses with my kitbag whether it be rain, hail or shine."
He is happy to be recognised by Cricket Victoria but has set his eyes firmly elsewhere.
Glimpses of Maxwell?
Happier times: Sunam and his mate share lighter moments with Big Bash sensation and fellow compatriot Sandeep Lamichhane. (Facebook) Source: Facebook
Gautam wants to face compatriot and teen sensation Sandeep Lamichhane at Big Bash League and other premier T20 events around the globe.
"It will be a privilege to play alongside Sandeep. He's a rising star in world cricket, and if I ever get an opportunity to play in BBL or any other premier T20 event, it would be a dream come true," Gautam told us.
However, for his dreams to come true, Gautam will need to improve his game says Peter Di Venuto from Greenvale Kangaroos
"He has good goals and great dreams. To achieve those, Sunny needs to be consistent. He's a very gifted and creative cricketer but is an impulsive batsman. If he had not played a few shots and gave his wicket away, Kangaroos would have fared much better - after all, and he's a match winner", he said.
Matthew Love adds Gautam's bowling is hard to pick and when he bats - on his day - makes opponents run for their money. You can almost see glimpses of Glenn Maxwell in Sunny."
"It is tough to set a field for him - he can score almost anywhere in the field," Love said.
Di Venuto says Gautam should not be overlooked by the Nepali National Team either.
Source: Facebook
"I reckon Sunny fully deserves a spot to play for Nepal and get some good experience."
Adams and Love both think Gautam can realise his dream to play alongside some world class players.
"He has what it takes to get there - Sunny needs to consistently perform. He's already shown that this season."
Love points Gautam's temperament and mental resilience as his hurdles.
"Sunny maintains a very high expectation of himself. If he can break the shackles and play his natural game without giving his wicket cheaply, he can be devastating for any opponent."
Adams says Gautam has matured with his age and in a season or two, with a lot of hard work and perseverance, "Sunny" could be the second Nepali sensation to feature in a major T20 league.
Gautam also missed narrowly an opportunity to be crowned the coveted Jack Ryder Medal to a fellow club cricket player Brett Forsyth (Dandenong).
He received 25 votes to Forsyth's 35 for the award that is handed to "best and the fairest" player in the Victorian league.
