United States qualify for world cup 2024, Unmukt Chand likely to take on former India teammates

When it comes to sports, cricket is the second most-watched sport in the world. But unlike football, cricket is limited to only a few counties.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), through its associate nations programs, has been trying to widen the reach of cricket and take it to the next level.

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Taking a major step towards that, the ICC has awarded the 2024 T20 World Cup hosting rights to the United States of America and the West Indies. 

In a press release, ICC said, “In June 2024, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will go somewhere it has never been before, with the USA hosting the event alongside the West Indies, which staged the tournament in 2010.” 

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The West Indies are one of the biggest names in world cricket and have the prior experience of hosting many multi-nation events. Also, they are the only men’s team to win the T20 World Cup twice. However, their neighbouring USA are considered to be the sleeping giants of world cricket.

They have played in a major ICC tournament only once, that too way back in 2004 Champions Trophy. Since then, the USA cricket team has failed to qualify for major ICC events.

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As soon as the news broke out, the fans took to the micro-blogging site and hailed the ICC for expanding its horizon and allowing a new country an opportunity to stage such a mega event.

Those who follow cricket know that in the last couple of years the USA has seen an influx of several well-established players from around the world like Corey Anderson, Rusty Theron and our very own Unmukt Chand.

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While some of them have already worn the US national colours, others are in line to do that, and given the enormity of the upcoming competition they can expect their moves to be fast-tracked in the coming days. 

The Indian fans are particularly excited with the prospect of India’s 2012 U-19 World Cup winning captain Unmukt Chand who retired from Indian cricket last year and shifted his base to the USA.

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If indeed all these well-established names are drafted into the US national team, they would be in a position to give any side a run for their money.