Unmukt Chand in Action | Source: X.com
Unmukt Chand, the former Indian U-19 World Cup-winning captain, announced his arrival in style at the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024.
Opening his tournament account for the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR), Unmukt Chand played a match-defining knock against the Texas Super Kings (TSK).
Put in to bat first, the Knight Riders got off to a shaky start. However, Chand, unfazed by the early blows, unleashed an aggressive counterattack. His blistering half-century proved invaluable as LAKR posted a competitive total of 162 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Unkut Chand took TSK’s pace spearhead, Naveen-ul-Haq for cleaners. During the crucial fourth over of LAKR’s innings, with the team needing stability, Chand launched an assault on the pacer.
The USA batter smashed two boundaries – a glorious lofted drive and a spectacular pick-up shot over square leg – for a six. The six looked like the Supla Shot, which Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav invented and often plays.
Watch Unmukt Chand Hammering Naveen-Ul-Haq:
These powerful shots fetched him 14 runs off the over, and that is where the momentum swung in the Knight Riders’ favour.
Chand’s knock, coupled with Ali Khan’s brilliant bowling performance (4 wickets), proved too much for TSK. Despite their valiant effort, they fell short by 12 runs, handing LAKR a thrilling victory in their opening match.
