'I’m moving on with happy memories' - Former U19 World Cup star Smit Patel to shift base to USA after luckless India journey

Smit Patel, India’s former Under-19 star, after long years of waiting on the sidelines, has given up on his ambitions to play for the nation and has instead decided to shift the base to the United States of America in a bid to exploit the better opportunities available there.

Terming his decision as a “new innings”, the 28-year-old went on to say that he was frustrated to not find a spot for himself in the Indian team as a wicketkeeper. Given his career coincided with MS Dhoni, it surprises one the least.

Patel himself admitted the “stifling competition” in the national team, which is why he has no complaints. Instead, he feels grateful about having represented India at one of the biggest international platforms. Notably, he was one of the heroes of India’s Under-19 World Cup in 2012, which the nation won under the leadership of Unmukt Chand.

Blessed to have played for India at a world event: Smit Patel

In an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, Patel informed that his paperwork and other formalities are all complete, and he has sent the retirement letter to the BCCI. “All my paperwork with the BCCI is complete. I’ve sent in my retirement letter. So the India chapter of my cricket career is over. If I return, it’ll only be to train here for a month or so every year when it’s snowing back in the US.”

Speaking about his experience in India, he said: “It’s been a different sort of a journey. Starting with the highs of the Under-19 World Cup, then the frustration of not finding a place as a wicketkeeper and then moving four teams [Gujarat, Tripura, Goa and Baroda] within India for opportunities.”

“All this is bound to happen when there’s stifling competition, so I’ve got no complaints. I’m blessed to have played for India at a world event – few get that chance. So I’m moving on with happy memories,” he added.

He did agree that the decision was intimidating, although given his family is already in the US, it will not be hassling for him to settle down.

“Yes, having played for 12 years in India, to suddenly pack up and leave can be intimidating,” he said. “But since my family was already here and they have set themselves up here, the decision was somewhat easier than just having to turn up here and look out for yourself. I’d been doing that in India for a decade now – living there to just play cricket and come back here during the off-season. I’d spent nine months of lockdown last year here, and I’ve been back here since April.”

Notably, Patel was recently roped in by the Caribbean Premier League franchise Barbados Tridents during the drafts for the 2021 season.