Former U19 World Cup Stars Unmukt Chand, Harmeet Singh, and Smit Patel Eye Clash in T20 World Cup Showdown

In a remarkable turn of events, the 2012 Indian U19 World Cup-winning trio – Unmukt Chand, Harmeet Singh, and Smit Patel – find themselves on the brink of a fascinating clash against India at the upcoming T20 World Cup in America. While Harmeet and Smit have already secured spots to play for the USA, Unmukt is set to qualify in March 2024.

Unmukt Chand’s American Dream

Unmukt Chand, who shot to national fame with his explosive hundred in the 2012 U19 World Cup final against Australia, retired from Indian cricket in 2021 and made America his home. Leading the Silicon Valley Strikers to victory in the inaugural Minor League Cricket T20, Unmukt has been a consistent performer, amassing over 1500 runs across three seasons.

Expressing his unique goal of playing against India, Unmukt remarked, “Since I’ve retired from India, my next goal was always to play against India, not in any bad blood but keen to test myself against the best team in the world.”

Harmeet Singh’s Transformative Journey

Left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh, once a promising talent in Indian cricket, moved to the USA in 2020 after facing challenges and limited opportunities in the Indian circuit. His shift to America revitalized his white-ball game, making him a potent T20 weapon. Harmeet’s round-arm action and precise control over lengths earned him accolades, returning 7 wickets at a miserly 7 rpo in the inaugural Minor League Cricket.

Harmeet, eager to face former Mumbai Ranji Trophy teammates like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, expressed his excitement, stating, “Rohit was present at my debut, and I have had a few battles with Surya over the years.”

Smit Patel’s Resilience

Wicketkeeper-batsman Smit Patel, who played a crucial innings in the 2012 U19 World Cup final, has had a resilient journey. Moving to America after representing Baroda, Smit faced a near-fatal car accident in 2022 but recovered to relish the sport again. His inclusion in the San Francisco Unicorns for the Minor League Cricket showcases his determination and love for the game.

Smit, reflecting on his journey with Jasprit Bumrah, his former captain in the Gujarat U19 squad, said, “We used to call him Jasprit Gumrah (confuse).”

As these former U19 stars prepare for a unique reunion on the global stage, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the T20 World Cup clash that promises to be a riveting spectacle.

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