Sandeep Patel

Sandeep Patel is a dynamic batting all-rounder currently playing for the Northern Knights in New Zealand domestic cricket.

A prolific run-scorer for Counties-Manukau, Patel broke into the Knights’ Plunket Shield squad in April 2022. After a lengthy 18-month wait for his second appearance, he made a big statement in October 2023 with a brilliant maiden first-class century—145 off 186 balls—against an Otago attack led by Blackcaps pacer Jacob Duffy, helping his side to an innings victory.

He featured again against the Auckland Aces, scoring 21, but the return of international players saw him briefly sidelined. Despite this, Patel continued to impress, earning selection for the New Zealand XI against Bangladesh in December 2023, where he struck a composed 89. He returned to the Knights for further Plunket Shield matches, contributing with scores of 4, 8, 20, 7, and an unbeaten 42.

Patel has long been regarded as a top prospect. A schoolboy standout, he was named Northern Districts' “Young Player of the Year” in 2017/18 and represented New Zealand at the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup. Later that year, he scored 69 for a New Zealand XI against Sri Lanka, and in 2019, struck 56* against an England attack featuring the likes of Broad, Archer, Woakes, and Stokes.

While opportunities at Knights level have been limited due to a stacked squad featuring 10 Blackcaps—including Williamson, Mitchell, Santner, Wagner, and Southee—Patel has remained a consistent performer for Northern Districts A and is pushing to cement his place in the first-class setup following his century in 2023.

At Premier club level, he has dominated for Manukau City. His standout seasons include 484 runs at 53.77 and 29 wickets at 14.88 (2019/20), 586 runs at 41.86 and 25 wickets at 20.08 (2020/21), and 453 runs at 64.71 with 8 wickets (2021/22). For Counties-Manukau in representative competitions, he added 316 runs at 45.14 and 13 wickets at 13.54 during the 2021/22 season.

Patel is currently enjoying his first UK season with Beckenham CC, where he’s amassed 650 runs at 40.63—including a top score of 99—and taken 26 wickets at 13.35, further underlining his quality as a genuine all-rounder.