Unmukt Chand promises to be future star

Not sure how many of you watched this youngster turning up for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 5 in May 12.  He played two matches with little success – but has kindled hopes that he could emulate Yuvi, Rohit or Virat Kohli, soon aspiring to play for the Nation from the ranks of Junior !!

photo courtesy : cricinfo.com

It is Delhi's Unmukt Chand.  He has been a grand performer and India Under-19 squad  in the  quadrangular series in Visakhapatnam replacing Maharashtra's Ankit Bawne, who was named captain earlier.  BCCI later stated that there was a discrepancy between Bawne's date of birth as mentioned in the BCCI's database and his passport, following which he was omitted from the squad.  Chand made his Ranji Trophy debut last season, and scored a century against Railways in his fourth match. An aggressive opener, he was signed by Delhi Daredevils for the IPL but played only two games.

At Kualalumpur, in the recently concluded U19 tourney, he led from the front, his great knock of 121 still could ensure only a tie in the thrilling finals against Pakistan.  Pakistan opener Sami Aslam scored his second hundred of the series to carry his team to 282, before India captain Unmukt Chand did the same for his side. But both centuries went in vain, with neither team claiming the trophy.

Indians appeared to be in control needing 37 off the final 36  balls with 7 wickets in hand, Unmukt was unbeaten on 101Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz then produced two effective overs, claiming two wickets and conceding just five, to bring Pakistan back into the game.  Chand was out off the fourth ball of the final over - caught on the cover boundary off seamer Ehsan Adil - left India needing five off two deliveries. No. 8 Rush Kalaria pierced the off side for four, to bring the scores level. The final delivery, though, he could only chip gently to mid-off.  No run and the title was shared. 

In the Semifinals against Lanka also, Unmukt Chand had scored a century.  India won by 6 wickets with 17 balls to spare to reach the finals.  Sri Lanka made 244 losing 7 wickets – B Aparajith the lad from Chennai bowled well to return figures of 10-0-29-2.  Chand was bowled by De mel after scoring 116 off 141 balls with 11 boundaries and 1 over it.

Unmukt Chand is an exciting prospect and is only 19 years now.  He plays right handed and turns his hand with some off breaks too.  He had earlier made 112 & 94 against Australia and England respectively in U19 at Townsville in Apr 2012.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.