Former U-19 World Cup-winning skipper Unmukt Chand became the first Indian male cricketer to play in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) on Tuesday. The talented right-handed batsman made his debut for Melbourne Renegades against Hobart Hurricanes.
Chand is playing under the stewardship of Australia’s limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch. Shaun Marsh is also part of the team.
The 28-year-old Chand had called time on his playing career in 2021 and since then playing in different leagues across the globe. He was a former India A skipper who has never played for the Indian senior team. But he was part of the three IPL franchises-Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals. He has played domestic cricket in India for a decade including 67 first-class matches.
Chand came into the limelight in international stage as a teenager in the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup in Australia. He was adjudged man of the match in the final, scoring an unbeaten century against a mighty Australian side.
After an indifferent domestic career, Chand eventually stepped away from Indian cricket and moved to the United States in search of greener pastures.
Notably, as many as eight Indians were picked in the last edition of Women’s Big Bash League.
(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)