USA vs Pakistan. (Source – Getty Images)
June 12, 2024 promises to be a momentous occasion, brimming with nostalgia and an abundance of emotions as the USA faces India for the first time across any format of the game. This historic clash will be cherished for years to come, particularly by few players on the American side. Describing the number as “few” would indeed be an understatement, as seven players from the USA squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 were either born in India or spent their formative years there.
Skipper of the USA, Gujarat-born Monank Patel, who played age-group and club-level cricket in India, reflected on the surreal moment of standing alongside skipper of Team India, Rohit Sharma, during the toss. He expressed his aspirations to play an intense and distinctive brand of cricket, maintaining that level of performance against all teams.
“You dream about this kind of thing and suddenly you see yourself with Rohit Sharma during the toss. It’s unreal. It’ll be a high-pressure game. Honestly, we don’t want to focus too much from right now. We want to play the brand of cricket. We want to play against all the teams,” noted Monank during the pre-match press conference.
Left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh, who was in the Rajasthan Royals squad in 2013, six years junior to Rohit, reminisced about his admiration for Rohit, both of whom attended the same school. Harmeet reflected on his foundational years, during which he looked up to Rohit as an inspiration in cricket. He also mentioned his experience playing U-19 cricket alongside notable players such as Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav.
“Growing up, I used to look up at Rohit Sharma. Rohit comes from my school. Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav, I have played Under-19 with them in India. Axar Patel, I’ve played with him as well. So, it’ll be fun catching up and playing against as well,” remarked Harmeet.
Another left-arm spinner, Noshtush Kenjige, who elicited widespread praise for figures of 3/30 against Pakistan, expressed his aspirations and dreams of wearing the Indian jersey and representing the national cricket team during his time in India. However, upon relocating to the USA, he acknowledged that the most fulfilling opportunity for him would be to compete against India. He emphasized his eagerness to seize that opportunity whenever it arises, affirming his anticipation for the forthcoming match.
“When I was in India, I wanted to put on the Indian jersey, but as you grow up and life happens to you, you just move to a different country. And now, the next best thing you can do is play against India. So I would take this anyway ten out of ten times. I think it’s a massive opportunity as a kid growing up, you want to be in the World Cup. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” shared Kenjige.