Former U-19 star Smit Patel retires from Indian cricket, targets American dream

Former Indian U-19 star Smit Patel has decided to bring curtains on his Indian cricketing career and has retired from all formats. He is now open to playing in the overseas Twenty20 leagues. He would be representing the Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League starting August, while he would only be the second Indian after Pravin Tambe to feature in the tournament.

Patel happened to be one of the star players for India during the side's title-winning success in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2012. He later played for Gujarat, Tripura, Goa and Baroda in the domestic circuit.

He was decently effective in the longest format, scoring 3,728 runs in 55 First-Class games at an average of 39.49, including 11 tons and ten half-centuries. Being a wicketkeeper, he also inflicted 123 dismissals in the format.

However, despite his excellent stint in Indian cricket, he was never recognised for a national call-up. Consequently, he has decided to give up Indian cricket and is now eye playing for the United States of America, a green card-holder.

"It's a new innings for me. It's been a different sort of a journey. Starting with the highs of the Under-19 World Cup, then the frustration of not finding a place as a wicketkeeper and then moving four teams [Gujarat, Tripura, Goa and Baroda] within India for opportunities," he told ESPNCricinfo.

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"All this is bound to happen when there's stifling competition, so I've got no complaints. I'm blessed to have played for India at a world event - few get that chance. So, I'm moving on with happy memories. All my paperwork with the BCCI is complete. I've sent in my retirement letter. So, the India chapter of my cricket career is over. If I return, it'll only be to train here for a month or so every year when it's snowing back in the US," he added.

On his move to the USA, Patel has been staying in Pennsylvania since 2010, while his father runs a gas station in Easton. He has signed a two-year deal with the newly-found Major League Cricket, starting 2023.

"Yes, having played for 12 years in India, to suddenly pack up and leave can be intimidating. But, since my family was already here and they have set themselves up here, the decision was somewhat easier than just having to turn up here and look out for yourself. I'd been doing that in India for a decade now - living there to just play cricket and come back here during the off-season. I'd spent nine months of lockdown last year here, and I've been back here since April. Also, signing up with MLC was a surety that I'm part of a system here," he reckoned.

"I spent a bit of time at the national camp, met JAK and the others. They have been pretty welcoming of me and the decision I've taken to try and forge a career here. I still must score runs, perform well and do everything asked of me to get selected. Mere eligibility doesn't guarantee anything, but I'm willing to put in the hard work and try and carve out a second coming of sorts in my career in America," he concluded.

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