Delhi U19 Skipper Unmukt Chand Retired from Indian Cricket

Unmukt Chand retired from Indian cricket
Unmukt Chand

Unmukt Chand Retired: The right-handed batsman who usually opens the batting for Delhi in Indian domestic cricket tournaments announces his retirement from Indian cricket.

Chand led the India Under-19 cricket team to the U-19 Cricket World Cup victory in 2012. He hit an unbeaten 111 in the final against Australia in Townsville and wins the praise of Australian great Ian Chappell. As of 2021, he plays in the United States.

Unmukt Chand Retired

Unmukt Chand took to his Twitter account to announce his retirement from Indian cricket. Reports suggest that he would make it into the US cricket team.

“After thinking for a while, I still could not find the perfect beginning to this letter. Writing this down brings out mixed emotions in me. I don’t know how I should be feeling cause honestly, I am still figuring it out. The very thought of not being able to represent my country again literally stops my heartbeat for a while”.

“I have grown up playing cricket with just one and only dream of playing for India. The love for this game has been very pure for me and I am grateful to have achieved a few milestones along the way. From getting up early in the morning for training, scheduling my entire day around cricket, and trying to find out ways to become a better player has always been my drive and motivation and still keeps me going as the journey is only halfway through”.

“Cricket is a universal game and even though the means might change, the end goal is still the same – to play cricket at the highest level. Also, a huge thanks to all my supporters and well-wishers for always carrying me in their hearts. There is no better feeling than being loved and appreciated for who you are. I feel eternally blessed to have such a genuine family. Thank you, everyone. Looking forward to the next chapter” Unmukt Chand.

Unmukt Chand Career – Overview

Unmukt Chand scored 499 runs during his first stint with the Delhi U-19 team. The 435 runs include 2 centuries and 1 half-century. His outstanding performance in the U-19 gave him a place in the Delhi senior team.

He scored 151 runs on a seaming track against a seasoned Railways attack in Ranji Trophy 2010-11. That year he also scored two half-centuries against Mumbai and Saurashtra. In fact, he scored 400 runs for Delhi in five Ranji matches.

He has participated in Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the Cooch Behar Trophy at the junior level.

Unmukt Chand U19 team celebrating victory
Unmukt Chand U19 team celebrating victory

During Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2012–13, he scored 321 runs at an average of 35.66 with a strike rate reaching 140 for Delhi. He was the highest run-scorer.

He scored back-to-back centuries, first against Kerala where he scored 105 off 67 balls, and then against Gujarat, scoring 125 off just 63 deliveries. Delhi was later shocked by Odisha in the semi-finals where he failed to score.

On 26 August 2012, Chand led the India U-19s to victory in the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Australia. On 3 March 2013, Chand scored 116 for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Assam to show his penchant for scoring hundreds in tournament finals. Delhi went on to win the game by 95 runs and the title for the first time

Unmukt made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils(now Delhi Capitals) in 2013 before moving to Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 7 Auction. He was picked by the Mumbai Indians in the 2015 season.

Unmukt started commentating during the 2020 U-19 Cricket World Cup finals. Then he was seen doing commentary in Star Sports 1 Hindi for Caribbean Premier League.