Unmukt Chand serves notice with spectacular performances in Australia

By Nishad Pai Vaidya

 

India Under-19’s (U-19) triumphant campaign in the Quadrangular Under-19 series Down Under was a powerful performance that would boost their confidence ahead of the big tournament – the ICC U-19 World Cup. This victory is an ideal preparation for the biggest junior tournament which would be played in August later this year in Australia.

 

The last time India lifted the U-19 World Cup was in the year 2008 which came under the leadership of Virat Kohli whose special batting talent was earmarked for greater honours. This time around, Unmukt Chand - a Delhi boy, like Kohli - looks set to lead India’s charge at the U-19 World Cup and would aim to emulate the feats of Kohli’s team. It wasn’t just his captaincy that orchestrated the recent success in Australia, but his prolific batting also caught the eye.

 

This isn’t the first time when Chand has led the team from the front to a victory. In October, a similar quadrangular tournament was held in India, during which Chand was amongst the leading run-scorers as India clinched the trophy in a thrilling final.

 

Here is Chand’s record in U-19 cricket

	M	Runs	Avg	100s	50s	Highest
Overall	12	617	68.55	2	2	122*
Quadrangular in India	7	336	67.20	1	2	122*
Quadrangular in Australia	5	281	70.25	1	1	112*

In the semi final of the tournament in Australia, Chand scored a crucial 94 to guide India to victory. However, he saved his best for the final against Australia as his 112 not out ensured India clinched the cup without hiccups. Chand’s hundred is meritorious considering the fact that the sensational Pat Cummins was a part of the Australian bowling attack.

 

Chand had played two games for the Delhi Daredevils in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The transition seemed huge as two dangerous bowlers got the better of him – Lasith Malinga and Shane Warne. Despite that performance, Delhi have maintained their confidence in his talent and included him in their setup for this season as well. His T20 record doesn’t reflect his talent and that is something he would like to work upon when the opportunity comes his way.

 

In the 2010-11 domestic season, Chand made his first-class debut at the young age of 17. Since then he has progressed well and is proving his talent.

 

His first-class record:

M	Runs	Avg	100s	50s	Highest
11	738	43.41	1	4	151

 

For a teenager, an average of 43 after two seasons in first-class cricket is good number. The fact that he has scored a hundred and four fifties tells you that he can do well in the longer formats.

 

Chand’s real test would come in August when he is likely to lead India at the junior World Cup. The tournaments they have played in the lead-up would serve as good preparation, but the World Cup always generates a different level of pressure. For inspiration to handle that pressure and score runs consistently, he needn’t look further than state-mate Kohli.

 

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a club-level cricketer with an analytic mind and a sharp eye. It was this sharpness which spotted a wrong replay in IPL4 resulting in Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal. Some of his analytical pieces have come in for high praise from cerebral former cricketers. Nishad can also be followed on Twitter)