BBL 2021-22: Unmukt Chand to play for Aaron Finch’s Melbourne Renegades in the upcoming edition

Former India U19 captain Unmukt Chand has been named in Melbourne Renegades’ squad for the 2021-22 edition of the Big Bash League. The 28-year-old also became the first Indian male cricketer to be signed by the BBL. Back in August, Chand pulled the curtains down on his career in Indian cricket and decided to explore various opportunities around the world.

In 2012, he led India U19 to victory in the World Cup in Australia. Thereafter, he played 67 first-class matches and also turned up for the Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, in the Indian Premier League. The Delhi-born Chand was delighted to be a part of the team, led by Aaron Finch, also the skipper of Australia’s ODI and T20I teams.

Unmukt Chand over the moon

“I’m very excited, it’s great to be part of the Melbourne Renegades family. I’ve always followed the Big Bash and it’s a great opportunity for me to come and play some good cricket,” Chand was quoted as saying.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Melbourne and to get going. I’ve always enjoyed playing in Australia. I haven’t been to Melbourne before… I know for a fact there are lots of Indians in Melbourne, so it’s going to be nice, and I hope the crowds turn up for games as well,” he added.

Melbourne Renegades squad

Aaron Finch (C), Cameron Boyce, Unmukt Chand, Zak Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Josh Lalor, Nic Maddinson, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitchell Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Reece Topley

The Renegades are set to start their campaign on Tuesday, December 7 against Adelaide Strikers at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. The Renegades have been one of the underachievers in the BBL, having won the title just once out of 10 seasons. Back in 2018-19, they beat the Melbourne Stars to win their maiden title.

However, in the previous two seasons, Finch and Co. failed to get above the eighth position in the points table. Out of 10 seasons, the Renegades have failed to go beyond the first round seven times. Last season, they won only four out of 14 matches with a poor net run rate of -1.727.