Andrew Leonard, a prominent freelance cricket commentator from Ireland, has achieved a remarkable level of fame in Nepal, where he is affectionately known as ‘Taklu Dai,’ translating to ‘bald Elder Brother.’ This celebrity status, complete with a Nepali impersonator, contrasts with his relative anonymity in his home country.
Leonard, who has been a cricket evangelist traveling the globe, found a unique connection with Nepal eight years ago. His involvement began when he was asked to commentate on an Ireland home game against Afghanistan. This led to an invitation from Irish cricket star Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling to join them for the Everest Premier League in Nepal.
"He told the organizers, 'This guy will be great. He’s new, he knows the associate teams very well, he’s passionate about the game, and he’ll probably even know your players," Leonard recalled, adding that O’Brien may have also sought a "drinking buddy" for the trip.
Leonard, who previously worked for Cricket Ireland and the ICC in marketing roles, had always been fascinated by associate cricket nations, particularly Nepal. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, he experienced an immediate bond with the Nepalese fans, which he attributes to a shared passion for cricket.
His commentary style, which often involved interacting with the crowd, led to him being mobbed for selfies. This engagement was so popular with producers that he was frequently sent into the stands, requiring police presence to manage the excitement. Leonard described the Nepalese people as "simply the nicest in the world, so kind and so welcoming."
Leonard's connection to Nepal runs deep, with over 40 return visits. He is frequently the top choice for the ICC when commentary is needed for Nepalese matches, especially as the country's cricket team has seen significant improvement, reaching the T20 World Cup final stages for the first time in January. Leonard considers Nepal his "second home," feeling almost more comfortable there than in Ireland due to the time he spends in the country.
He draws parallels between Nepal and Ireland, noting both nations live in the shadow of larger neighbors (India and China for Nepal; Britain for Ireland) and have experienced significant emigration. Both countries, he observes, share a love for joy, camaraderie, good food, music, and a tendency to "punch above our weight on the world stage."
Leonard's popularity in Nepal has led to notable experiences, including being invited to the prime minister’s palace and receiving a surprise birthday serenade from Nepal’s most famous pop singer, Sushant KC. He was also featured on "The Comedy Night with Champions," Nepal's most-watched TV show, where a Nepali impersonator named 'Android Leonard' perfectly mimicked his commentary style and catchphrases. A viral clip of Leonard becoming emotional when Nepal qualified for the T20 World Cup was also a point of humor during the show.
While his initial dream was to play cricket for Ireland, Leonard found his calling in commentary. He has covered international matches, including Test matches and World Cups, and currently works as a full-time freelance commentator, traveling 300 to 330 days a year. He is involved with Major League Cricket (MLC) in the U.S., seeing it as an important opportunity to help grow the sport in a new market. "This will be my third season with the MLC team, and I love trying to help grow the sport here," he stated.
Leonard credits ICC Pathway events for providing opportunities to hone his craft across diverse locations, from Papua New Guinea to Mexico City. Despite the freelance nature of his work, he feels fortunate to make it his full-time profession, viewing his role as promoting the joy of cricket to a wider audience.