The T20 World Cup 2024 is only five months away. It is going to be the first-ever 20-team World Cup and will be hosted by the USA and West Indies. The USA, as the host nation, has earned direct qualification for the tournament, making it their inaugural appearance in an ICC event. Cricket in the USA is growing fast, and one reason is India investing in it. Recently, a few Indian players who weren’t getting opportunities in India have moved to the USA for better chances. Unmukt Chand is among those who made this decision.
Unumkt Chand to play against India in T20 Word Cup 2024
Unmukt Chand will become eligible to play for the USA cricket team from March 2024. The talented right-handed opening batter is expected to secure a spot in the USA’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad, given his outstanding performances in the Minor League Cricket. Alongside him, Corey Anderson, the former New Zealand all-rounder, is also anticipated to earn a place in the USA team.
Recently, the ICC announced the schedule for the mega event. The USA and India have been drawn into the same group, along with Pakistan, Ireland, and Canada. India and the USA will clash in T20 World Cup on June 12. Ahead of the match, Unmukt Chand said it was his goal to play against India since leaving Indian cricket.
“It’s 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,” Unmukt Chand told Cricbuzz in a recent interview” said Unmukt Chand
In 2021, the U19 World Cup winning captain announced his retirement from BCCI Cricket. Subsequently, he moved to the USA and participated in Minor League Cricket for Atlanta Lightning. Impressively, he topped the list of highest run-scorers in Minor League Cricket for two consecutive seasons.
In November 2021, Chand received a big opportunity when Melbourne Renegades signed him for the BBL 2021-22 season. However, his stint in the BBL didn’t turn as expected, as he only played in 2 games and scored 35 runs.
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Currently, Unmukt Chand is signed with the Major League Cricket team, Los Angeles Knight Riders. The inaugural season of Major League Cricket in 2023 was a bit subdued for him, as he could score 68 runs in the 4 matches he played.