UNITED STATES: The former U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand the man who helped India win the U-19 World Cup and also played for various IPL Teams like Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, announced his retirement from Indian Cricket on 13 August. Unmukt Chand disclosed this news on his social media handles, he wrote a long note in which he said that he is retiring from Indian Cricket but he will wander everywhere to find a right place and right oppurtinity from where he can restart his career outside India.
Since his debut in 2010, Unmukt Chand played in 67 First-Class matches, scoring 3379 runs with an average of 31.57. In 120 List A matches, Chand amassed 4505 runs at an average of 41.33. In 77 T20s, he made 1565 runs at an average of 22.35.
In U-19 World Cup final which was held in Australia, Unmukt Chand scored an unbeaten century. Unmukt scored 111 runs off 130 deliveries which included 7 fours and 6 sixes. Unmukt Chand helped India to chase down the target in 47.4 overs.
Unmukt Chand also became the captain of Delhi Ranji Trophy team but because of his poor form with the bat he was dropped from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in 2017 and from then he wasn’t able to cement his place in the squad.
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In his long note which he posted on his social media accounts he said that, “After thinking for a while, I still could not find the perfect beginning to this letter. Writing this down brings out mixed emotions in me. I don’t know how I should be feeling cause honestly, I am still figuring it out. The very thought of not being able to represent my country again literally stops my heartbeat for a while. I have grown up playing cricket with just one and only dream of playing for India.
“The love for this game has been very pure for me and I am grateful to have achieved a few milestones along the way. From getting up early in the morning for training, scheduling my entire day around cricket and trying to find out ways to become a better player has always been my drive and motivation and still keeps me going as the journey is only halfway through”.
He also added that, “I can proudly look back at my cricketing journey in India and I feel so blessed to have made a mark in a cricket-frenzied nation. Big thanks to BCCI for giving cricketers like me a platform to express and showcase our skills through so many camps, age groups, and senior board tournaments, and the IPL. Definitely the hallmark of the biggest cricket board in the world. Personally, there have been quite a few glorious moments in my cricketing journey in India. Winning the U-19 World cup for India is one of the biggest moments of my life. It was a special feeling to lift the cup as a captain and bring smiles to so many Indians across the world. I can never forget that feeling. Also, leading India A on numerous occasions and winning various bilateral and tri-series are etched in my memory forever”.
Unmukt Chand also thanked the BCCI and DDCA in his tweet. He also wrote that “Cricket is a universal game and even though means might change, the end goal is still the same to play cricket at the highest level”.
Earlier, it was reported that Unmukt Chand might move to USA and play for the USA national team, but Chand denied that claim and he said that “I had gone to USA to visit my relatives and i also attended some training sessions here but i have done nothing like signing anything in USA”.
