India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand created history at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne as he became the first Indian male cricketer to play in Big Bash League (BBL) 2021-22.
Unimpressive debut
The former Indian cricketer came in to bat at no.5 in the 15th over of Melbourne Renegades’ run chase against Hobart Hurricanes. Renegades needed 45 more runs from 31 deliveries to win the match with skipper Aaron Finch set on the other end.
At the start of the innings, Chand was troubled by the pace of Riley Meredith, who was picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the previous edition of IPL 2021 for Rs 8 crore.
In the 18th over, the 28-year-old showed first signs of aggression but it led to his departure. The Delhi-born batter tried to take on Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane but got caught at the mid-wicket boundary. He scored just six runs from eight deliveries.
Finch’s knock in vain
The slow knock from the Indian batter changed the course of the match for Renegades. Finch’s valiant knock came to an end in the penultimate over. Australia’s white-ball skipper scored 75 runs off 42 deliveries including six fours and four sixes. After Shaun Marsh’s 51-run knock, he did not get much support from the other end as Renegades finished the season with a defeat by six runs.
Earlier, Matthew Wade-led Hurricanes posted a challenging total of 182/5 on the board. Despite getting in-form batter Ben McDermott early in powerplay overs, Hurricanes did well in the powerplay overs. Opener Caleb Jewell scored 28-ball 35 whereas skipper Wade missed his half-century by two runs. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 48 runs from 39 deliveries including four fours and one six. D’Arcy Short contributed too with his 22-ball 37 but it was Tim David who helped Hurricanes finish with a flourish. David hit four sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 20-ball 46.
Forgettable season for Chand
Chand was ignored from Renegades’ 12 clashes despite a dismal run in the season. It was followed by a cryptic tweet from Chand last week which read, “Feels more like a vacation. Thanks Melbourne!!”. In the end, he was given a chance in a dead rubber for Renegades as they were already out of the playoffs contention.
