Early Life & Rise
- Born: March 26, 1993, Delhi, India
- Education: Attended Modern School, Delhi, later pursued studies at St. Stephen’s College.
- Youth Cricket: Rose quickly through Delhi’s age‑group cricket, known for his compact technique and aggressive strokeplay.
- Breakthrough: Selected for India U‑19, where he became captain of the 2012 ICC Under‑19 World Cup squad.
2012 U‑19 World Cup Triumph
- Final vs Australia: Scored a match‑winning 111 off 130 balls*, guiding India to victory.
- Leadership: His calm captaincy drew comparisons to Virat Kohli, who had led India to the 2008 U‑19 title.
- Recognition: Hailed as India’s next batting star, featured in endorsements and cricket magazines.
Domestic & IPL Career
- Ranji Trophy: Represented Delhi, later Uttarakhand, scoring over 3,300 first‑class runs with 8 centuries.
- IPL Stints:
- Delhi Daredevils (2011–2013): Early exposure to franchise cricket.
- Rajasthan Royals (2014): Limited opportunities.
- Mumbai Indians (2015–2016): Part of the squad but struggled to cement a place.
- Challenges: Despite promise, inconsistent performances meant he couldn’t break into India’s senior team.
Global Franchise Cricket
- Big Bash League (2021): Became the first Indian male cricketer to play in the BBL, signing with Melbourne Renegades.
- ILT20 & MLC: Plays for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Los Angeles Knight Riders, part of the Knight Riders franchise family.
- USA Cricket: Moved to the USA in 2021, qualifying to represent them internationally. His goal is to help USA cricket grow and compete in ICC tournaments.
Unmukt Chand Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First‑Class | 67 | 3,379 | 31.57 | 8 | 151 |
| List A | 120 | 4,505 | 41.33 | 7 | 127 |
| T20 | 90 | 1,795 | 21.89 | 3 | 125 |
Legacy & Impact
- Youth Icon: Unmukt Chand’s U‑19 World Cup innings remains one of India’s most celebrated youth performances.
- Missed India Career: Despite early hype, he never played for India’s senior team — a reminder of how competitive Indian cricket is.
- Global Pioneer: His move to the USA and participation in leagues like BBL and MLC made him a trailblazer for Indian cricketers abroad.
- Mentorship Role: Today, he inspires young cricketers in the USA, blending his Indian experience with global exposure.
See More: Salman Butt