Unmukt Bharat Thakur Chand, commonly known as Unmukt Chand, is a prominent cricketer from the United States of America. Born on March 26, 1993, in New Delhi, India, Chand made a name for himself when he captained the India Under-19 team to victory in the 2012 World Cup. Although he currently represents the United States, Chand’s cricket journey began in his home country of India.
Chand’s rise to fame came during the 2012 World Cup held in Australia, where he showcased his exceptional leadership skills and impressive batting abilities. In the final against the host nation, Chand played a match-winning innings of 111 not out, leading India to an incredible victory. This was his third consecutive century in an under-19 World Cup final, an extraordinary feat that highlighted his temperament and composure under pressure.
Even before his under-19 success, Chand had already displayed his talent on the domestic circuit. He made his debut in the prestigious Ranji Trophy while still in school, and in just his fourth game, he scored a magnificent century, scoring 151 runs. This early success earned him recognition and a reputation as a player to watch out for.
In 2012, Chand made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the young age of 18 years and 15 days. His achievements on the under-19 stage drew comparisons to his close friend and fellow cricketer, Virat Kohli, who led India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2008. Chand’s IPL career, however, hasn’t been as remarkable as his under-19 exploits. He struggled to find consistency and had limited success, with his first and only fifty in the tournament coming in 2015 while playing for the Mumbai Indians against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Despite the challenges and ups and downs in his journey, Chand continued to showcase his talent on several platforms. He represented the India A team on numerous occasions, leading them to victories against New Zealand A in 2013 and Bangladesh A in 2015. Additionally, he captained the team to a Triangular series win in Chennai, further establishing his leadership acumen.
One of Chand’s distinguishing characteristics is his dedication to self-improvement. He keeps a regular diary and carries a dictionary with him, emphasizing his commitment to personal growth and development. Although he has shown glimpses of brilliance on the field, his biggest challenge remains consistency. While he has made three T20 centuries for Delhi in domestic cricket, he is yet to achieve the same level of success on a consistent basis.
Currently, Chand represents the United States cricket team and continues to strive for excellence in his cricketing career. While his IPL career may not have taken off in the way he envisioned, he remains a talented cricketer with immense potential. As he continues to work on his skills and overcome any setbacks, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await his future performances and hope to witness his true potential unfold on the international stage.
