Two players, Milind Kumar and Harmeet Singh, formerly representing the Tripura Ranji team, have secured spots in the USA’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Jayanta Dey, Joint Secretary of Tripura Cricket Association, shed light on their performances in domestic cricket and their subsequent rise to the international stage.
Both Kumar and Singh, who previously played for the Tripura Ranji team in different seasons, have now transitioned to represent the USA internationally, while Tanmay Mishra is set to play for the Kenya national team. Kumar, who amassed 1331 runs in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season, moved to the USA seeking better opportunities. With dual citizenship of Kenya and India, Mishra has the option to represent either country.
Singh, a pivotal player in India’s 2012 Under-19 World Cup-winning squad, made the move to the USA along with Kumar. Although their former teammate Unmukt Chand also relocated to the US, he was not included in the squad. Instead, Corey Anderson, a former New Zealand all-rounder, secured a spot.
According to Dey, Mishra’s eligibility to represent both India and Kenya stems from his mixed heritage, with his father being Indian and his mother Kenyan. Mishra, who debuted for Kenya in 2006, previously played for the Tripura Ranji team in the 2019-20 season.
The Tripura Cricket Association has extended its best wishes to the players for their significant breakthroughs. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams, is scheduled to take place in the USA and the West Indies from June 1 to 29. The USA squad, led by Monank Patel, includes notable players such as Aaron Jones, Corey Anderson, and Ali Khan, among others, with Gajanand Singh, Juanoy Drysdale, and Yasir Mohammad serving as reserve players.
