The former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand smashed a fifty and took Silicon Valley Strikers to a victory in the T20 competition in California. Opening the batting for Silicon Valley Strikers, Chand scored 56 off 57 at a strike rate of 98.25 including three sixes.
Match Highlights
Chasing a 132-run target, Silicon Valley strikers’ openers got off to a stirring start. The duo of Arsh Buch and Unmukt Chand scored 73 runs for the first wicket partnership. Silicon Valley lost two quick wickets but Unmukt Chand stood tall from one end and finished the game with 7 balls to spare. The 28-year-old smashed three towering sixes and three fours in his 57 run knock. The swashbuckling opener was awarded man of the match for his brilliant half-century.
Winning the toss, Silicon valley strikers elected to field first and put Golden State Grizzlies under the pressure right from the start. Golden State Grizzlies struggled early in their innings and lost 3 wickets under 10 overs. A gritty knock from Karan Chandel (45 off 42) and a late flourish from Aditya Srinivas (13 off 8) and Hammad Azam (25 off 14) took Golden State Grizzlies to a respectable total of 131. Abhishek Paradkar was the best bowler for Silicon Valley strikers. He took three wickets giving away just 25 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
Silicon Valley Strikers is currently placed at the top of the group. They’ve won 6 games out of 7. So far, Unmukt Chand has played four matches in which he has scored 77 runs at a strike rate of 84.62.
Unmukt Chand signs multi-year contract with Major Cricket League
Earlier this month, Unmukt Chand announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in India. He then signed a deal with Silicon Valley Strikers for the 2021 season. Chand has penned a multi-year agreement with Major League Cricket to support the development of the game in the US. Along with playing, he will also be mentoring the next generation of American cricketers.
“I’m delighted to take the next step in my cricket career by being part of the long-term growth of American cricket and the launch of Major League Cricket. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play for the Strikers in Minor League Cricket. And help grow the sport locally in the Bay Area. I have already seen the impressive passion for the game of cricket,” said Chand
