Playing for Uttarakhand is good challenge, I'm excited about it, says Unmukt Chand

Playing for Uttarakhand is good challenge, I'm excited about it, says Unmukt Chand

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Unmukt Chand has made a huge change in his life by deciding to quit playing for Delhi and join a new team in order to get into red-ball cricket again. The 26-year-old batsman is now looking forward to the new chapter in his life where he will represent Uttarakhand as a professional.

Back in 2012, Unmukt Chand had become a household name when he led the India U-19 team to the Under-19 World Cup victory. Even before that, as a 16-year-old, Chand was making the news in the Delhi circuit with his exceptional batting. Even before the World Cup title, the Delhi boy had played IPL and earned an India A spot for the tour of New Zealand, and was regular India A captain until 2015.

However, the last couple of years have been full of ups and downs for him, with a massive dip in form and getting dropped from Delhi's playing XI in Ranji Trophy 2017/18 and also from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. 

In order to make his comeback in red-ball cricket again, after not getting even a single Ranji Trophy game in the previous season, the 26-year-old has now shifted his loyalties to Uttarakhand. 

"The things are very doubtful in Delhi," Chand said as quoted by Times Now. "In the last two-three years, I have been in and out of the side for various reasons. Too many things happening.....I wanted to give myself a bit of a break. I couldn’t focus on my cricket because many of these things going on. I m not worried about external factors that were troubling me in Delhi."

Uttarakhand had a good Ranji Trophy last year and after getting a promotion have gotten into Group C, which has teams like Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, this year.

"Uttarakhand did a good job by qualifying for Elite group in the first year itself. It speaks volume of these guys. It’s a big challenge for me and the team to get Uttarakhand at the topmost level. It’s a challenge I take upon myself. I will be happy to contribute and see my team through. It’s a different challenge altogether. It’s about the team more than me right now. So the challenge is that the team does very well this year.," the Delhi cricketer, who has roots in Uttaranchal, said.

Having made his debut for Delhi as a teenager and then leading the team has been a long and emotional journey for Unmukt Chand. But he knows he's doing the right thing by moving on. 

"Of course, it’s an emotional moment for me to leave Delhi. I have always been a Delhi boy. But these things are not planned. Things happen. I have enjoyed playing cricket in Delhi... all my age groups.

"Last 2-3 years have not been good for me in Delhi. Yes, I have had lots of comebacks in last 2-3 years....you know I was getting dropped time and again. So every match felt like a comeback match for me. It was a great experience playing for Delhi but Uttarakhand is another challenge. I have a connection with Uttarakhand...my roots are in Uttaranchal.  So it feels like home. It’s good I have been able to acclimatise here...really enjoying the environment. Hopefully, can do a better job with Uttarakhand," he concluded.

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