Unmukt Chand retires from Indian cricket at 28 to seek better opportunities across the globe
Unmukt Chand led India to glory in the 2021 ICC U-19 World Cup. However, he has lacked enough opportunities in Indian cricket since then, as he has announced his retirement from Indian cricket to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
FollowIndian batsman Unmukt Chand has announced his retirement from Indian cricket at the age of 28. He came up with the decision on Friday on social media, citing lack of opportunities in India and seeking the same elsewhere in the world.
Chand was a part of India's 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup-winning squad. It was his match-winning knock of 11 in the final against Australia that helped India win the title. Still, he did not mark in India'sdomestic circuit since, including the Indian Premier League, besides never making his debut for the Indian senior team.
"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," he wrote on social media.
"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 which 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. 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 a new territory and contribute my best," he added.
"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 heart. 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..." he concluded.
As for his Indian career, he played for Delhi initially in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 151 in his fourth game. He made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils in 2011 and played for three sides until 2016 without considerable success before fading away from the circuit.
However, he remained a regular player for India A, leading the side to success against New Zealand and Bangladesh. Notwithstanding, he had a further dip in form, as he was dropped from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, while he decided to play domestic cricket for Uttarakhand in 2019-20, scoring 195 runs in his seventh game. As of now, he is currently in the United States of America, playing the sport.
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