Where to Find Cricket Nets in Kathmandu (and What They Cost)

You don't need 22 players and a full ground to actually improve at cricket. You need a net, an hour, and a bowler (or a bowling machine). Here's where to find cricket nets in Kathmandu in 2026, what they cost, and how to pick the right kind for what you're working on.

What "cricket nets" actually means here

Three kinds of facilities in Kathmandu get called "nets":

1. Outdoor net lanes — single or paired netted lanes alongside an outdoor ground, usually with a turf or matting pitch. Best for hard-ball practice with proper bounce.
2. Indoor net cages — fully enclosed netted boxes, often the same venues that host box cricket. Tennis or rubber ball most often; some allow hard ball with helmet rules.
3. Bowling-machine cages — netted lanes with a mounted bowling machine. You bat solo or with a feeder; the machine throws at a set pace.

Each serves a different purpose. If you're working on technique, outdoor nets with a live bowler are the gold standard. If you want pure batting reps, a bowling machine is more efficient. If you just want to swing the bat with friends, an indoor cage works.

Where the nets are

Lalitpur and southern Kathmandu

The bulk of dedicated cricket facilities, public and private, sit in Lalitpur — Patan area, Sanepa, Bhaisepati, and around. Easier parking, less peak traffic, more space.

Kirtipur and Tribhuvan University area

Some of the larger cricket facilities are clustered around TU. Useful for serious players; less convenient for after-work practice unless you live nearby.

Chabahil, Boudha, Baluwatar

Mostly smaller indoor cages and box cricket venues that double as nets in off-peak slots. Best for tennis-ball batting practice.

Ring Road belt

Several venues sit along the Ring Road perimeter — quicker access if you're driving from outer Kathmandu or coming in from outside the valley.

We don't name specific venues here because the list changes monthly. Use Maidaan's cricket venue search for the current list with availability.

What it costs in 2026

Net type	Hourly rate	Notes
Indoor cage (tennis ball)	Rs. 800 - 1,500	Includes basic ball, sometimes
Indoor cage (hard ball allowed)	Rs. 1,200 - 2,000	Helmet usually required
Outdoor net lane	Rs. 1,500 - 2,500	Often booked per lane
Bowling-machine session	Rs. 1,500 - 3,000	Machine + balls + 1-hr slot
Group net + coach	Rs. 3,500 - 6,000	90 min, coach for 2-4 players

Treat these as ranges. Premium facilities with tournament-grade pitches and certified coaches sit at the high end.

For one batter and one bowler, even a Rs. 2,000 net slot works out to Rs. 1,000 each — comparable to a futsal hour split between 5 players.

How to pick a net for what you need

"I want to improve my batting against pace"

Bowling machine, set to 110-130 km/h depending on your level. 200-300 balls in an hour. Pure repetition. Best paired with a coach for the first session so the machine is set correctly.

"I want to work on my line and length as a bowler"

Outdoor net lane with a real pitch. Tennis-ball cages don't simulate the bounce or carry you'll face on a match day. Find a partner to bat (even a beginner is fine — they don't need to score, just stand there).

"I just want to whack some balls with friends"

Indoor cage, tennis ball. Cheap, social, low setup. Box cricket venues often rent the cage by the hour outside of match bookings.

"I want to coach my kid"

Look for venues that offer junior nets or kids' coaching packages — usually mornings on weekends. Indoor and tennis-ball nets are safer starting points than hard-ball outdoor lanes. Always ask about coach credentials before signing up; we walk through this in What to Ask Before Enrolling Your Child in a Sports Academy.

What to bring

• Bat that matches the ball. Tennis-ball bats are lighter and have different sweet spots; hard-ball bats need oil and tape.
• Pads, gloves, helmet for hard-ball nets. Non-negotiable.
• Box (abdominal guard). Easy to forget, painful to forget.
• Bowling shoes or trainers with grip. Outdoor nets get dusty; indoor cages get slippery.
• Water. Indoor cages get hot fast.

Most venues won't supply personal gear. Some rent pads and helmets for Rs. 100-300/hour if you ask in advance — check before you book.

Timing tips for Kathmandu

• Best slots: Weekday 6-8am or 7-9pm. Early morning is cheaper and emptier. Evenings are when serious club players book in, which is fine if you want to learn by watching.
• Worst slots: Saturday afternoon 2-5pm. Packed, expensive, slow.
• Monsoon (June-September): Outdoor lanes get cancelled. Indoor cages are gold during these months. Book a week ahead.
• Winter (December-February): Outdoor mornings are cold and damp. Indoor cages or late-morning outdoor (after 9am) work better.

How Maidaan helps

Maidaan lists cricket facilities by type — outdoor nets, indoor cages, bowling-machine cages, and full grounds. Filter by what you actually need, see hourly price upfront, and book a one-hour slot in 30 seconds.

Book an hour and bat

Pick a quiet weekday morning, book a lane on Maidaan's cricket venue page, bring a friend to bowl, and put in 200 balls. Better than four Saturdays of debating venue choice in a group chat.

For the full cricket guide in Kathmandu, see Cricket Formats Explained and Picking Up Cricket as an Adult in Nepal.