‘Monank is batting like a monarch,’ exclaimed Rameez Raja on air when Monank Patel emphatically hit Shaheen Afridi for a six. The USA captain’s standout performance earned him the Man of the Match title and led the USA to a thrilling victory over the 2022 T20 World Cup finalists on Thursday (June 6).
Monank firmly believes in destiny. “Who would have imagined I’d be playing in a World Cup while I was tossing those woks all day in the middle of nowhere in South Carolina?” he remarked to Cricbuzz on the eve of the game.
After failing to make a significant mark at the U-19 level in India, Monank moved to New Jersey, USA in 2014 seeking better opportunities. He ventured into the restaurant business in 2016, opening a Chinese restaurant called ‘Teriyaki Madness’. For nearly two years, he worked 10-12 hours a day, juggling roles as both chef and manager to keep the struggling business afloat. Unfortunately, he faced a double setback when his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he decided to sell the underperforming restaurant. With only $3,000 left, he moved back to New Jersey to be with his ailing mother.
Around this time, Monank debuted for the USA in September 2018 in North Carolina. After leading the run charts in his first USA tournament, he scored a century against Uganda in Oman. His mother, though barely able to speak, was reportedly whistling with delight as he reached his century. A month later, on her deathbed, she told Monank to “keep playing and working very hard” before passing away.
“I had a special bond with my mom,” Monank recalls. “She was my go-to person for all things life and cricket. She is the reason why I play cricket now.”
Her last words continue to motivate him. After a disappointing tour of Nepal in 2019, where he managed scores of 4 and 4, he felt immense pressure. Unable to sleep, he wrote ‘I will work hard’ repeatedly over four pages. He then called the new coach, J Arun Kumar, expressing his determination to become the top scorer in the next tournament. Monank delivered on his promise, scoring a match-winning hundred against Nepal, neutralizing Sandeep Lamichhane’s threat with skill.
“It was my moment of truth…” Monank reflects. “What I really wanted to do. I batted for at least two hours a day, six days a week for months leading up to the tournament. I once analyzed Sandeep’s videos in slow motion for six hours straight on a long flight.”
Growing up in Anand, near Ahmedabad, Monank broke through the Gujarat Cricket Association age group teams, which were dominated by boys from larger districts. After a duck in his first inter-district U15 game, he scored consecutive centuries, securing his place in the GCA side.
Monank’s ability to stay calm under pressure defines his play. In 2018, far from national recognition, former USA coach Pubudu Dasanayake was recommended to check out Monank’s batting video. Despite having no recent cricket experience, Monank impressed with a half-century on a tricky pitch and followed it with a stunning 80-ball hundred against strong competition. Dasanayake had told him that nothing less than a century would secure his spot on the US team, historically plagued by selection biases.
“My thinking, my mindset reacts to it. I react naturally in those situations. I had locked what Pubudu had said in my mind. I do my best in those times. In do-or-die situations, I play more responsibly. I’m in that kind of a zone. I don’t over-prepare the day before. Those tough situations actually help me in getting into that zone naturally. The zone where I am batting at my best.”
Monank’s focused approach helped him produce a match-winning half-century against Pakistan. Facing the formidable Pakistan pace attack, he endured the initial challenge and later displayed exquisite strokes. Monank has now led the USA to two consecutive wins, making them favorites to reach the Super 8 stage.
Leading the USA team, one of the most diverse in terms of race, nationality, and religion, can be challenging. Monank’s social adaptability helps. He quickly picks up new accents, including Jamaican, and serves as the team’s unifying force. His hotel room often becomes the FIFA PlayStation hotspot and a gathering place for teammates during off days.
After the USA’s victory over Canada in their opening game, Monank, despite being down with a fever, let the celebration continue in his suite. Following their historic win, Monank wouldn’t mind another night of celebration.
