Former Mumbai Indians player Unmukt Chand talked about the comparison of him and Virat Kohli, calling it a source of motivation. On The Raunac Podcast, he spoke about how he would watch Kohli progress in domestic cricket, which made him want to see how far he could go.

Unmukt revealed that he had shared the dressing room with Kohli even before winning the 2012 U-19 World Cup. “I saw Virat growing in front of me. Four years back he had won the World Cup. When I was playing Ranji Trophy before the World Cup itself I was sharing the dressing room with him. So it was an inspiration to me. When people compare you to him, I have to step up to fill those shoes and come to that level. I always look at it like that,” he said.

He also recounted playing alongside Kohli during his first season for Delhi in the 2009 Vijay Hazare Trophy and engaging in numerous conversations while batting with him in domestic cricket. “My first season for Delhi was in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2009. Virat was in the team and I spoke a lot with him at that time. He was there in my Ranji Trophy debut as well. I used to talk a lot to him. I would open with Shikhar and one own was Virat so I have batted quite a bit with him too.”

Reflections on Being the Next Big Thing

After leading India to victory at the 2012 U-19 World Cup, Unmukt Chand was hailed as the next big talent in Indian cricket. It was during this period that comparisons with Virat Kohli, who had led India to the 2008 U-19 World Cup triumph, began to surface.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: 'Even 10th-placed IPL team can beat....' – Former India spinner’s massive claim after win against Pakistan

Unmukt said that those comparisons were not a burden for him but were motivating him to work harder to improve and try to be elite. And Chand stated that his early interactions and shared experience in domestic cricket with Kohli were a learning experience in themselves.

The former Under-19 World Cup winner of the Indian side, Unmukt Chand, has looked back at the golden past days when he was under the leadership wings of Rohit Sharma, the current winning leader of the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America. 

Chand revealed that during the 2015 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rohit Sharma told the former opening right-handed batter a great piece of advice, which was to let the players be themselves with their skills and performances, rather than asking them to play in his way.

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“Well, playing with Rohit was very nice. So we won the 2015 IPL as well under his leadership. Again, he is a very calm guy and doesn’t get put out under difficult situations. And obviously, he is a magician on the field in terms of his batting. But I feel overall, he is a very good leader in terms of understanding his players.” Chand expressed in a recent interaction on CricTracker.

Watch: Unmukt Chand leaks Rohit Sharma’s golden piece of advice during IPL days

Chand featured in 20 innings of the IPL, where he smashed 300 runs at an average of 15 and a strike rate of around 100 with the help of just one half-century, which came in 2015 for the Mumbai Indians. Overall, in T20s, he has drilled 2097 runs in 96 innings at a strike rate of 116.56, thanks to 10 fifties and three centuries.

Former India U19 skipper Unmukt Chand recalls the golden advice he got from Rohit Sharma during his IPL days with mumbai Indian.❤️

The GOAT leader @ImRo45 🐐 pic.twitter.com/DXLACWtbXi

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) September 12, 2025

“Giving them the space to operate and be the best versions of themselves rather than try to impose his own self in front of the players, and that’s what he always used to tell me also. Play the way you want and not the way you have been told or something. And be the best version of yourself.” Chand explained.

Rohit, on the other hand, has started his preparation for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia down under. He hasn’t been in action since the end of the recent IPL 2025, while his last game for the Blue Brigade came in February, having already retired from the longest and shortest formats.

After Virat Kohli, the most promising cricketer for India was considered to be Delhi-born right-handed batter, Unmukt Chand, who, despite all of his talents and skills, couldn’t make it into the national side and had to leave the country towards the dark end of his career to start a new journey in the United States of America (USA).

The player, who was required to be nurtured a lot, lost his track in the middle. But the director, Raghav Khanna, has decided to release his documentary on the batter Unmukht Chand, named ‘Unbroken’, on September 12, 2025, in the nearby cinema halls, where he portrayed the cricketing journey of the youngster, who led India to the U-19 World Cup victory in 2012.  

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“I thought anything I touch would turn into gold. Brands started approaching me. Media houses were calling me. I have been that person who was supposed to get everything possible. I felt that I was one above the rest. But after a point in time, it all starts fading away- from everything working for me to everything working against me.” Chand expressed in the trailer of ‘Unbroken.’

Watch: Director Raghav Khanna to release Unmukt Chand’s documentary on September 12

The 32-year-old has overall featured in 113 first-class innings to smash 3379 runs at an average of 31.57 and a strike rate of 51.40 with eight centuries and 16 half-centuries at the best score of 151 runs. The last of this came in 2020 against Haryana when he shifted his base to Uttarakhand.

DOCUMENTARY FILM 'UNBROKEN: THE UNMUKT CHAND STORY' TO RELEASE IN THEATRES – 12 SEPT 2025 RELEASE... The story of dashing young cricketer #UnmuktChand, who led #India to victory in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2012, will now be screened on the *big screen*.#Unbroken:… pic.twitter.com/9NDg1rXpqu

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) September 6, 2025

In 119 List-A innings, Chand has drilled 4505 runs at an average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 75.15 with the help of seven centuries and 32 half-centuries at the best score of 127 runs. Things changed after he joined the USA, as he nailed 302 runs in the recent MLC 2025 season for the Los Angeles Knight Riders at a strike rate of 124.79.

“Obviously, there are questions, right? About cricket. Should I quit playing? I found a new perspective going forward. I used to consider myself ‘special.’ Is it still there? Chand added in that trailer of the ‘Unbroken’ documentary.

A new age wave on August 26, 2012 lashed on Townsville. A small town, away from hustling and bustling, flooded in blue as India won their third Under 19 ICC World Cup, defeating Australia. Unmukt Chand, then the captain of India U19, led his team to the glory. Chand played an unbeatable 111 off 130 to secure the match and the trophy for Team India. For the World Cup, a group of boys were all together for about 18 months, grew together, and conquered the opponents—India was undoubtedly the deserving champion of the 2012 U19 WC. 

Talking about the match, Australia went to bat first and lost 4 wickets in quick intervals. Their middle order started to give India the real fight. William Bosisto, then the captain of U19 Australia, Travis Head, and Ashton Turner stood tall against the Indian bowling attack. Bosisto remained not out for 87, Head scored 37, Turner got 43, and Australia in total registered 225/8 on the scoreboard. Fast bowler Sandeep Sharma, in peak form, clinched 4 wickets in the process in his 4-over spell. The spinners kept the Australian strike rate close to the ground. 

The target was not too big, but Australians were not there with the intention to roam Team India on the ground without any hesitation. Joel Paris and Ashton Turner tried to control India's batting attack as much as possible. Prashant Chopra went for a duck, but his opening partner, Unmukt Chand, left no stones unturned.

Read More: 3 reasons why PBKS should release Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of IPL 2026

Chand was the man under spotlight 

He remained firm on the track until his team secured the much-desired victory. Facing 130 balls, the top-order batsman remained unbeaten for 111. Hanuma Vihari and Vijay Zol's quick dismissal did not bother the Men in Blue, as Baba Aparajith (33) and then Smit Patel (62*) supported their skipper well. India chased down the target of 226 in 47.4 overs, losing only 4 scalps. 

"I do not know what is happening right now. Thankful to God, I have taken the team through. The Aussies played really well, but we came out on top. Townsville has been amazing for us," Chand said after the match. 

Major League Cricket is getting a lot of traction these days as some of the best T20 performers are participating in the tournament. The third edition of this League recently concluded, but it is witnessing an impressive rise in its popularity. The 2025 season witnessed some intriguing contests between some of the best sides in the League. It also witnessed some of the best bowling performances from some of the best T20 bowlers in world cricket.

In this piece, we highlight about three bowlers who registered the best bowling figures by taking wickets during crucial moments of the game that changed the fate of a particular game. The bowlers mentioned in the list possessed different skills as far as their ability to adjust their length and variety as per different playing conditions and wickets, but they were the game changers for their respective sides. We discuss these bowlers in detail:

1.Mitchell Owen (5/17 - Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns- 29th of June 2025)

Mitchell Owen is among the upcoming talents in the Australian cricket set-up. The all-rounder impressed with his pace and clever seam movement. The 23-year-old caused problems for the batters with his slower ones.

He registered figures of 5/17 against San Francisco Unicorns on the 28th of June 2025, taking a crucial wicket of opener Matt Short. He claimed 14 wickets in the entire season. The right-arm medium pacer took crucial wickets when needed for Washington Freedom. His performance helped Washington Freedom win by 12 runs.

2.Adam Milne (5/23- Texas Super Kings vs Seattle Orcas-6th of July 2025)

The New Zealand pacer bowled brilliantly against Seattle Orcas on the 6th of July 2025, where his pace and bounce were too hot to handle for the Seattle Orcas batters. The 33-year-old pacer registered figures of 5/23 for Texas Super Kings against Seattle Orcas on the 6th of July 2025.

His length, combined with his late swing, troubled the Seattle Orcas batters. Texas Super Kings scored 188/5 in 20 overs batting first, and Milne's performance helped TSK win by 51 runs at the Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida. He claimed 14 wickets in the entire season. Milne took the crucial wicket of former Australian opener David Warner.

Also Read: Australia confirm playing XI for 1st T20I against West Indies as PBKS batter set to debut

3.Trent Boult (4/17- Mumbai Indians New York vs Los Angeles Knight Riders- 3rd July 2025)

The former New Zealand pacer showed excellent bowling performances under pressure, taking key wickets at regular intervals with his swing and pace. His ability to swing the ball both ways is amazing. 

Boult registered figures of 4/17 for the Mumbai Indians New York against the Los Angeles Knight Riders on the 3rd of July 2025 at Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida. Mumbai Indians won the match chasing a target of 155 by 8 wickets. He claimed crucial wickets of Unmukt Chand and Andre Russell. Boult showed his experience during pressure situations,Mitchell  claiming 15 wickets in the entire season..

Los Angeles Knight Riders vs San Francisco Unicorns (LAS vs SF) has been scheduled for the 30th match of the MLC 2025 at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill on Sunday evening. 

MLC 2025, Match 30: LAS vs SF Probable XIs

Los Angeles Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Andre Fletcher, Unmukt Chand (wk), Alex Hales, Saif Badar, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder (Captain), Matthew Tromp, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Corné Dry, Sunil Narine

San Francisco Unicorns Predicted Playing XI: Matthew Short (Captain), Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jahmar Hamilton (wk), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Romario Shephard, Haris Rauf, Xavier Bartlett, Brody Couch, Karima Gore

See Also: SF VS LAS Major League Cricket 2025:live streaming details where to watch

MLC 2025, Match 30: LAS vs SF Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Dream11 Captain choices

Matthew Short: Despite joining the tournament lately, Matthew Short is the third leading run-scorer in the MLC 2025 with 353 runs in six innings with an average of 58.83 and a strike rate of 169.71, including five half-centuries. He also picked up three wickets during their first meeting against Seattle Orcas.

Unmukt Chand: India U19 WC winning captain and present USA cricketer Unmukt Chand has scored 302 runs in nine innings this tournament with an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 124.79, including three half-centuries.  

Xavier Bartlett: Australian right-arm pacer Xavier Bartlett is the second leading wicket-taker in the MLC 2025 with 16 wickets in nine games. He has recorded two four-fers in this tournament. 

Top 3 Dream11 Vice-captain choices

Haris Rauf: Pakistan right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf is the leading wicket-taker in the MLC 2025 with 17 wickets after eight matches. While he has recorded two four-wicket hauls in this competition, he managed to pick up at least one wicket in seven out of eight innings, while he bowled only one wicketless over in his last game. 

Finn Allen: New Zealand cricketer Finn Allen had a dream start in this tournament, as he has scored 329 runs in eight innings with an average of 41.12 and a strike rate of 225.34. He has hit one century and two half-centuries in this tournament, starting with the 151-run knock. However, in the last four games, he scored 4, 7, 23, and 1 runs, respectively. 

Andre Russell: Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell has scored 126 runs and taken 10 wickets in the MLC 2025. Apart from two three-wicket hauls, his last four innings were 30*, 65, 15, and 9, respectively.

MI New York vs Los Angeles Knight Riders (NY vs LAS) has been scheduled for the 27th match of the MLC 2025, which will be played on Saturday evening, July 5 (starting at 00:30 IST on July 6), at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill. 

See Also: MLC 2025: Probable Playing XI for NY vs LAS

MLC 2025, Match 27: NY vs LAS Probable XIs

MI New York Predicted Playing XI: Monank Patel, Quinton de Kock (wk), Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Kieron Pollard, Michael Bracewell, Tajinder Dhillon, Nosthush Kenjige, Trent Boult, Naveen-ul-Haq, George Linde, Ehsan Adil

Los Angeles Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Andre Fletcher, Unmukt Chand (wk), Rovman Powell, Saif Badar, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder (Captain), Matthew Tromp, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Sunil Narine

MLC 2025, Match 27: NY vs LAS Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Dream11 Captain choices

Unmukt Chand: Unmukt Chand has scored 243 runs in eight innings with an average of 34.71 and a strike rate of 125.25, including two half-centuries. 

Monank Patel: Monank Patel is the second leading run-scorer in the MLC 2025 with 343 runs in eight innings with an average of 43.62 and a strike rate of 154.42, including four half-centuries. His last five innings were 32, 60, 20, 6, and 56 runs.

Nicholas Pooran: With the help of one century and one half-century, Nicholas Pooran has scored 244 runs in eight innings with an average of 40.66 and a strike rate of 135.55. His last three innings were 108*, 8, and 62*. 

Top 3 Dream11 Vice-captain choices

Andre Russell: Andre Russell has scored 117 runs and also picked up 10 wickets in eight matches this season. In the last three innings, he scored 30*, 65*, and 15 runs. Also, he recorded two three-fers this MLC season. 

Trent Boult: The New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult has taken 11 wickets in eight matches this MLC season. In the last match, he won the Player of the Match award by recording the bowling figures of 4-0-17-4. 

Kieron Pollard: Kieron Pollard has scored 215 runs and picked up four wickets in this MLC 2025 season. Apart from two two-wicket hauls, Pollard has scored one 70 runs and three more 30s. 

On Saturday evening (June 28), the Los Angeles Knight Riders vs Seattle Orcas (LAS vs SEA) match will be played at Grand Prairie Stadium (Grand Prairie) during the 20th match of the MLC 2025. 

MLC 2025, Match 20: LAS vs SEA Probable XIs

Los Angeles Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Andre Fletcher, Unmukt Chand (wk), Rovman Powell, Nitish Kumar, Saif Badar, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder (Captain), Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Tanveer Sangha

Seattle Orcas Predicted Playing XI: Shayan Jahangir (wk), Aaron Jones, David Warner, Kyle Mayers, Heinrich Klaasen, Shimron Hetmyer, Sikandar Raza (Captain), Harmeet Singh, Cameron Gannon, Gerald Coetzee, Jasdeep Singh

See Also: MLC 2025: Probable Playing XI for LAS vs SEA

MLC 2025, Match 20: LAS vs SEA Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Dream11 Captain choices

Unmukt Chand: Unmukt Chand has scored 232 runs in six innings with an average of 46.40 and a strike rate of 128.88, including two half-centuries. His scores in this tournament are 53, 22, 0, 86*, 30, and 41 runs, respectively. 

Shimron Hetmyer: Caribbean star Shimron Hetmyer has scored 167 runs in four innings in the MLC 2025 with an average of 55.66 and a strike rate of 216.88. His scores in this tournament are 21, 19, 30, and 97 not out. 

Kyle Mayers: Caribbean all-rounder Kyle Mayers has scored 166 runs and taken three wickets in the MLC 2025. Apart from 88 runs, he played two more important innings of 27 and 37 runs. 

Top 3 Dream11 Vice-captain choices

Shadley van Schalkwyk: Shadley van Schalkwyk has taken nine wickets and scored 53 runs in the MLC 2025. Apart from recording two three-wicket hauls, he also scored 27 runs in one match. 

Andre Russell: Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell has taken eight wickets in the MLC 2025, including two three-fers. Meanwhile, the out-of-form batter has scored only 37 runs in five innings of this tournament, including his last innings score of 30 not out. 

Andre Fletcher: Another Caribbean cricketer Andre Fletcher has played three matches in the MLC 2025, where the right-handed batter has scored 125 runs. In their last game, Fletcher scored 104 runs. 

On Thursday evening (June 26), the Los Angeles Knight Riders vs Washington Freedom (LAS vs WAS) match will be played in the 17th match of the MLC 2025 at Grand Prairie Stadium (Grand Prairie). 

MLC 2025, Match 17: LAS vs WAS Probable XIs

Los Angeles Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Alex Hales, Sunil Narine, Unmukt Chand (wk), Rovman Powell, Nitish Kumar, Saif Badar, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder (Captain), Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan

Washington Freedom Predicted Playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Owen, Andries Gous (wk), Glenn Maxwell (Captain), Jack Edwards, Glenn Phillips, Ian Holland, Matthew Forde, Obus Pienaar, Saurabh Netravalkar, Mukhtar Ahmed

See Also: MLC 2025: Probable Playing XI for LAS vs WAS

MLC 2025, Match 17: LAS vs WAS Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Dream11 Captain choices

Mitchell Owen: Mitchell Owen is the third leading run-scorer in the MLC 2025 with 245 runs in five innings with an average of 49.00 and a strike rate of 204.16, including two half-centuries. His scores in this tournament are 39, 25, 32, 60, and 89 runs. Also, he has taken nine wickets in this tournament, including two three-fers. 

Glenn Maxwell: Australian star Glenn Maxwell has scored 185 runs in five innings of this tournament, including a smashing century. In their previous meeting, Maxwell smashed the match-winning 106 not out. Also, the off-spinner has taken three wickets in the last two innings. 

Unmukt Chand: Unmukt Chand is the leading run-scorer for Los Angeles Knight Riders this season with 191 runs in five innings, including two half-centuries. His scores in this tournament are 53, 22, 0, 86*, and 30 runs, respectively.

Top 3 Dream11 Vice-captain choices

Ian Holland: Ian Holland has taken seven wickets in five matches in the MLC 2025, including a four-fer. However, he picked up only two wickets in the last three games, including wicketless bowling figures in the last fixture.  

Shadley van Schalkwyk: Shadley van Schalkwyk has picked up eight wickets in five matches of the MLC 2025, including two three-wicket hauls. He has also scored 53 runs in four innings in this tournament, including his highest score of 27 runs. 

Rachin Ravindra: New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra has scored 115 runs in five innings with a strike rate of 225.49. His scores in this tournament are 42, 44, 8, 10, and 11 runs, respectively. He has also taken one wicket this season. 

Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie will host the 15th match of the MLC 2025,  Texas Super Kings vs Los Angeles Knight Riders (TEX vs LAS), on Tuesday evening, June 24 (starting at 05:30 IST on June 25). 

MLC 2025, Match 15: TEX vs LAS Probable XIs

Texas Super Kings Predicted Playing XI: Smit Patel (wk), Faf du Plessis (Captain), Daryl Mitchell, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shubham Ranjane, Milind Kumar, Marcus Stoinis, Calvin Savage, Nandre Burger, Adam Milne, Noor Ahmad

Los Angeles Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Alex Hales, Sunil Narine, Unmukt Chand (wk), Rovman Powell, Nitish Kumar, Saif Badar, Andre Russell, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Jason Holder (Captain), Ali Khan, Tanveer Sangha

See Also: MLC 2025: Probable Playing XI for TEX vs LAS

MLC 2025, Match 15: TEX vs LAS Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Dream11 Captain choices

Unmukt Chand: With his two half-centuries, Unmukt Chand has scored 161 runs in four innings with an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 134.16. His scores in this tournament are 53, 22, 0, and 86*. 

Adam Milne: New Zealand pacer Adam Milne has taken nine wickets in four matches, including two three-fers. 

Faf du Plessis: Former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis is enjoying Dallas very well with his last two innings scores of 100 and 69 runs. The right-handed batter has scored 202 runs in five innings with an average of 40.40 and a strike rate of 169.74. 

Top 3 Dream11 Vice-captain choices

Saif Badar: USA cricketer Saif Badar has scored 103 runs in four innings of this tournament with a strike rate of 143.05. His scores in this tournament are 17, 0, 32, and 54 runs, respectively. 

Noor Ahmad: Afghan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad has picked up eight wickets in five matches. However, he failed to pick up wickets in the last two games. 

Saiteja Mukkamalla: With three 30s (31, 30, and 38), Saiteja Mukkamalla has scored 110 runs in five innings of this tournament with a strike rate of 135.80.