In a rare and intriguing turn of events, the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, commencing on June 1 in the United States, will feature a unique scenario where India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, Unmukt Chand, is set to play against his former national team. Having retired from Indian cricket in 2021, Chand will qualify to represent the United States cricket team in March this year, marking an unusual encounter between a player and his erstwhile compatriots.
Expressing his eagerness for this distinctive challenge, Chand, now 28, aims to test his skills against a formidable team like India. Joining him in this uncommon experience are Harmeet Singh and Smit Patel, both part of the 2012 World Cup-winning squad led by Unmukt. Both players have already secured eligibility to play for the United States.
The highly anticipated clash between India and the United States in Group A on June 24 promises to be a momentous event, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the T20 World Cup. Unmukt Chand, who became the first Indian player to feature in the Big Bash League (BBL), achieved this milestone with his debut for the Melbourne Renegades against Hobart Hurricanes in January 2022.
Unmukt Chand said: “Something which would be very strange (laughs), but I think since I’ve retired from India, my next goal was always to sort of play against India, and not in any bad blood but keen to test myself out against the best team in the world.”
Having called time on his Indian playing career last year, Chand’s cricketing journey included representing three IPL franchises—Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals. His domestic career spanned over a decade, encompassing 67 first-class matches.
Unmukt Chand initially burst onto the international scene as a teenager during the 2012 ICC U19 World Cup in Australia. Notably, he was the player of the match in the tournament final, scoring an unbeaten 111 against an Australian side featuring future BBL stars such as Travis Head and Ashton Turner. The forthcoming T20 World Cup clash adds another chapter to Chand’s illustrious and evolving cricketing odyssey.
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