Delhi batsman Unmukt Chand, who shot to prominence by being the 2012 U-19 World Cup-winning captain, has announced his retirement from cricket in India. Chand had made an unbeaten 111, leading a tense victory over Australia in the 2012 U-19 World Cup final in Townsville, Australia.
The 28-year-old, who also led India A as well as Delhi and Uttarakhand in domestic cricket, had represented Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In a statement posted on his social media accounts, he has said that he is now "ready to take the leap of faith and enter into a new territory and contribute my best".
"I can play this game with all my heart and energy for a lifetime and more. I have always been honest to my game with my hard work and determination. But sometimes things don't pan out as imagined and makes us take life-changing decisions that can only be judged at the end of the journey. I am a firm believer in hard work and destiny and God has his own ways to unfold the life in front of us," said Chand.
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He added, "He closes some doors but opens many others. It's just a matter of perspective. Being an eternal optimist, I feel the road ahead of me is going to lead me to an exciting new journey and I can add much more value to it. I feel more complete as a cricketer and a human being and I am ready to take the leap of faith and enter into new territory and contribute my best."
Since his debut in 2010, 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.