Chand's MLC Surge: Can Knight Riders' Star Spark a USA Cricket Call-Up?

Unmukt Chand, the former India Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, has been making waves in the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC). After an unexpected retirement from Indian cricket at 28, Chand relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2021, aiming to represent the USA on the international stage.

Despite his efforts in Minor League Cricket, a national T20 competition in the United States, Chand was not selected for the 2024 T20 World Cup. This setback fueled his determination to prove his worth in the MLC.

MLC 2025: A Turning Point?

Chand's performance in the first two seasons of the MLC was underwhelming. However, the 2025 season has seen a significant improvement. Playing for the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR), Chand has emerged as the team's lone bright spot, currently holding the sixth position in the list of top run-scorers with 243 runs in seven matches.

While LAKR is struggling at the bottom of the points table and out of the playoff race, these remaining matches are crucial for Chand to showcase his talent and make a strong case for his inclusion in the US national team.

Chand remains focused on his goals despite past disappointments.

The Road Ahead

When asked about selection challenges, Chand emphasized the importance of performance.

He stated: "Whenever I have not got selected, performance was the only way you come back in. So I can only think along those lines... My only way to get back is to let my bat keep talking."

Chand's journey from a celebrated youth icon to a determined cricketer in a new country has been filled with challenges. However, his dedication to self-improvement remains unwavering.

"I have grown up with this mindset and mentality that I just want to keep getting better every day," Chand explained. "The whole fight is with me. I want to be a better version of myself."

Looking ahead, Chand remains optimistic about his future in cricket. "I feel that the journey is still ongoing," he said. "I still have a number of years left with me. I will keep trying my best... You never know, man, where life takes you."