Welcome to the electrifying world of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, where former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand has set the stage on fire with a blistering half-century for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. In a thrilling encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, Chand’s explosive innings of 53 runs off just 32 balls became the talk of the town, with a viral video capturing his power-hitting prowess.
Coming in at number 3, Chand displayed a masterclass of aggressive batting, smashing 4 towering sixes and 4 crisp fours at a staggering strike rate of 165.62. His fearless approach against a formidable bowling attack was reminiscent of his match-winning 111* in the 2012 U-19 World Cup final against Australia, where he led India to glory. Despite his heroics, the LA Knight Riders fell short by 32 runs while chasing a mammoth target of 220, highlighting the need for a more balanced team effort.
The Knight Riders’ lineup boasted other big names like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, both of whom have strong ties to Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. Russell, known for his brute power, had a forgettable outing with the bat, dismissed for a duck, while Narine, surprisingly slotted at number 8 despite his opening role in the IPL, managed a quick 27 off 13 balls. On the bowling front, both Russell and Narine, who captains this MLC side, conceded 42 runs each in their 4-over spells, picking up a solitary wicket apiece in a match where bowlers struggled to contain the opposition.
Chand’s journey, however, remains the focal point of this story. Having retired from Indian cricket in August 2021 to pursue opportunities in the USA, the 31-year-old Delhi-born batter has his eyes set on representing the USA national team. Despite high expectations of leading the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he missed out on selection and is yet to make his international debut. Now a US citizen, Chand is ineligible to return to Indian domestic cricket but remains a contender for the IPL 2025 mega-auction, where he hopes to revive his franchise career.
Reflecting on his past, Chand’s IPL journey began with Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) in 2011, followed by stints with Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. His crowning moment came in 2015 when he was part of Mumbai Indians’ title-winning squad under Rohit Sharma. However, his last IPL appearance was in 2016, and since then, he has also represented Uttarakhand in domestic cricket before shifting his base overseas.
As the MLC 2025 season unfolds, Unmukt Chand’s fiery knock has not only put him back in the spotlight but also sparked conversations about his potential to be a game-changer for both LA Knight Riders and the USA team. With the viral video of his fifty doing rounds on social media, fans are buzzing with excitement. Can Chand replicate his U-19 magic on the international stage? Only time will tell. Until then, let’s celebrate this incredible display of talent and determination in the heart of American cricket!