Former Under-19 World Cup winning captain Unmukt Chand is set to become the first Indian to feature in Australia’s Big Bash Cricket League, having signed up with Melbourne Renegades for the 2021-22 season. Unmukt, 28, broke away from cricket in India this year and is now in the US team.
Unmukt, a former India A captain, never played for the Indian senior team, but was a member of the Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He played domestic cricket for more than a decade.
Unmukt, who led India to the Under-19 World Cup in 2012, said, “I am very excited. It feels good to be part of the Melbourne team. I have always been watching Big Bash and this is a golden opportunity for me to play good cricket. It’s always fun to play in Australia. I have heard that Melbourne has a lot of Indians and if the spectators come to watch the matches, it will be fun to play here.
Unmukt Chand is currently settled in the US and his team Silicon Valley Strikers won the Minor Cricket League last month. He was adjudged Player of the Tournament.