All language subtitles for Unbroken The Unmukt Chand Story (2025)_track3_[eng]

When we were children

we were taught that broken objects could be fixed,

repaired and reused.

But somewhere along the way,

we were sold this idea

of replacing broken things

with new ones.

‘Better ones,’ we were told.

But I guess somewhere along the way,

we started doing the same

with broken people too.

Unmukt, you were supposed to be
‘the next big thing’ in Indian cricket.

What went wrong?

The meaning of the name ‘Unmukt’ is free, independent.

Just like a free bird.

But I guess somewhere along the way,

The world is very beautiful.

There are oceans and mountains,

and at the same time, there are jungle too.

We have to leave our children in that jungle.

Many kids learn to survive in that jungle

but some drop out.

When Unmukt was born,
we were living in a rented house in Mehrauli.

We had decided to have only one child

who we would raise and educate well.

All the clothes we had stitched for Unmukt
were meant for a girl child.

I was a little strict at home.

Both me and my husband were working,

so we ensured that our kid
never faced a problem because of it.

From the very beginning,
I had decided to make him independent.

From my earliest memories,

I think I got into the habit of
writing a diary because of my father.

I remember sometimes back of the head,

when I started playing cricket
because I remember writing in my scrapbook,

‘I want to be a cricketer.’

As a child, waking up a 6 AM,

getting ready, then doing something for 15 minutes

and then studying for an hour.

Somewhere I think that was the beginning of me understanding

what time management is.

Unmukt was only one and a half years old.

He used to call his grandmother on the terrace
and ask her to bowl for him.

Dadi used to throw the ball and I used to hit it.

The ball used to go down from the terrace

so we would hang sheets on all four sides.

When I grew up a little and started hitting the ball harder,

the ball started going into people’s houses

and their windows got shattered.

Some people then came and told us that he plays cricket well,

and is wrecking havoc here,

so send him to a cricket academy.

Unmukt’s uncle once took him to the National Stadium.

My uncle is my buddy.

And i think it is one of the best relations in my life.

It would be an understatement to call him my nephew

because we both complete each other.

I vividly remember I was 7 or 8 years old

when my uncle took me to the National Stadium for the first time.

But, my first coach, M.P. Singh Sir,

refused to train me for a year, saying that I was too young.

He asked me to come back after a year.

I still have a photo from that day.

I was tiny and my kit bag was much bigger than me.

The 1999 World Cup was going on.

I was 6 years old.

That was my first dentist visit.

Sitting in that room outside, waiting room,

I could hear people screaming of pain.

And there was a small screen.

The match was going on.

And India was playing against Kenya.

And this was the game when
Sachin had come back after his father’s funeral.

The whole country was rooting for him, for India.

And he got a 100 in that game.

He looked up in the sky,

thanked the Gods,

remembered his father.

That was the moment
when my pain turned into euphoria.

That was the moment when it was
the beginning of a dream for me.

A six year old boy started dreaming.

He wanted to play for the country.

He wanted to wear that blue jersey.

He wanted to score those runs for the country,
look up in the sky.

That was where it all began.

Cricket is like religion in India,

and religion works like opium.

The Indian Cricket Team won the World Cup
under the captaincy of Kapil Dev in 1983.

We had won against the country that had ruled over us for 200 years,

that too on their home ground.

Simply this feeling made everyone progress by so many years.

People wanted to identify themselves with heroes, follow their dreams.

They could see that happening on the cricket field.

Every child learns to play cricket even before they can walk.

I am sure, atleast any given time,
they would be 200 million.

At the school level, club level,
state and the country.

A population of 1.4 billion,

and every child from every family
wants to become a cricketer.

Just think of the level of competition one is going to face.

So even Unmukt was ready to risk anything for that.

Destiny... is the sum of hustle and drive.

In tiny eyes, we weave dreams so wide.

Off we go...

Off we go...

Off we go... with a surge of passion inside!

Unmukt, what are you doing in the US?

US is my new home!

Cricket World Cup games are coming to Stateside.

This is history in the making.

The Long Island will host the 2024 Cricket World Cup.

National Cricket Council has named Eisenhower Park

as one of three US locations to host the Men's 2024 World Cup.

It’s very difficult, man!

Tossing

It is very different here.

In India, you easily get good wickets,
rolled wickets at all times.

You get a turf to play.

I have been here for two years.

And hardly 3 to 4 times I have gotten turf cricket practice,

and that too also not very good wickets.

In India, we never used to bat on a cement field.

Our coaches used to say that if you play on cement,
your batting will get worse

because you face the balls from a distance.

And in fact, we used to play on the clay pitch,

in fact we used to do knocking on the clay pitch too
so that the body is closer to the ball.

But it's all different here.

So you have to tell yourself that

even though it is like this but still you got to be in touch.

So make sure that you hit the ball close to the body.

The match has been called off.

We were supposed to play two games,

last two games of our league.

See, this is all wet.

This ground needs to have some better drainage system,

otherwise, rains keep happening
in this part of the country

and matches keep getting washed out.

It's a disappointment that the
match is not happening today.

Story of our life.

Last one month I have been in Atlanta,
came back to Dallas, came to NC.

No match.

Go back tomorrow.

Next week I'm somewhere else.

I also have to figure out Dallas; I’ve just moved to Dallas.

I need to stay in one place to

figure that place out,
otherwise I'll always be on the run.

So, right now we are thinking of moving to Dallas

from SF and we’re finding like a nice house to stay in.

I want to live in a high rise building.

And I want to stay in a nice building.

How is it feeling?

Life in the US!

I am having fun.

This is how you move.

Lying on the floor, eating food on the floor.

There is no chair in the house.

Car wash station, and the grocery thing as well.

What all do we need?

Unmukt and I met back in 2018,

but it has a very funny side to it
because I never used to watch cricket.

You tell this story to other people, they say,

oh why you’re having such a bad line to use. ‘Google me.’

But they don't know the whole story behind it, right?

It's because it's like you, as if you're trying to be like,

‘Oh, I don't know you. What do you do?’

One moment.
- Of course you know me.

That's why you were sending me a friend request.

He was pretty, like, direct on text.

So I used to find him very rude

but when I met him,
I found a very nice gentleman.

I found a person who is very sweet, very,

who is open to conversation, a good listener.

After a few days, he called me again.

He is like, ‘Can we meet?’

I’m like, ‘Okay, I mean, what's wrong?’

And then that's when he told me,
you know, this is cricket is going on,

I want to focus on my career.

You know, I feel these things distract me.

He was going through a really tough time in his life,
and that's when I met him.

So I had seen no part of his fame,
I had seen no success.

I had, I only saw a boy
who was struggling to play cricket in India.

India is playing against Australia
in Feroz Shah Kotla right in front of us.

When are you going to play?

When am I going to play?

Oh, very very soon!

It’s 2019.

It’s 2019,

so 2020.

And I’ll be playing for the country.

IPLs

Simran will be there cheering and in the stands.

We really hope that it’s gonna come true.

And working very hard for that.

USA selections are about to happen.

World Cup is around the corner.

Major League is around the corner.

And my cricket, sort of, got a new life.

Grand Prairie- that's where a newly renovated stadium is launching.

The start of a Major League cricket season.

Huge amount of potential for the sport here.

Up!

One. When I say one, go back.

Two.

Got it!

Press. Press.

Three.

All set for the game, man!

That's my new jersey!

Number 10!

Unmukt Chand, hi!

Even if I get 3 days of practice a week, it’s like more than enough.

And it’s all bowling machine.

My biggest effort is finding bowlers in the US

because most of the guys are working.

So, they have to leave their work and come.

I have to inform them of the practice beforehand,
so that they show up.

and then something might
come of the meeting might come up

so they don’t usually make it.

So, it's a task.

I never knew that it's going to be so
difficult to find even 2 to 3 bowlers.

I need to adjust with this.

It's very opposite to how we played club cricket in Delhi,

versus what we play here.

I'm just waiting for my 3 years here to pass
and then I can go and practice in India.

That's what I miss the most being in USA.

You know how to do it, right?

Yes.

C’mon UC!

Back home.

Tea time soon.

You know what's missing in this house?

Dog.

When I am watching movies,
I don’t have to put too much of my brain into it.

You don’t have one to use.

Why do you eat while standing?
What is the hurry? Sit while eating.

Everyone has their own way.

Ideally one should sit on the floor and eat.

Eat, please!

I used to do that.

When have you eaten while sitting on the floor?

Ask anyone at my home. Are you crazy?

I really did.

You’re lying.

Should we order a TV?

You haven’t done it yet?

We were supposed to do it together.

I’ve been telling you for two days.

See, I am confused between QLED, QNET.

What else do you want to buy for the house?

Coffee table, side table.

I will be traveling a lot, so I don’t know!

You'll have to manage it yourself.

I don't want more responsibility right now.

I am good.

Maybe when we have kids.

We’ll live here for a few years and then

we'll move to a new place when we have more idea.

Will we keep moving all the time?

How many times have you moved houses in India?

There used to be help in India.

You saw how difficult it was moving here.

You were not here.
You were out for matches.

You make a big issue out of small things.

Did you apply for your driving license?

Why?

I have been busy with you.

It doesn't mean that when matches are going on,

we’ll do everything after they are over.

Life has to happen while things are going on.

I like familiar things in life.

There's already so much change
since I moved to the US.

I don’t want more change in life.

See, firstly, life is very different here for me.

I have no idea how to do all of this.

Alright, I’ll do it.

Don't stress me out. I'll do it.

There’s nothing to stress out in this.

I have already been stressed out about getting a job.

I am very stressed out.

I don't show you, but I am.

What kind of joke is this?
This is nonsense.

There are so many clothes here.

When there is so much clutter,
I think mind is screwed, man.

The TV won’t fall, will it?

It won’t. Pull it out.

Hail Mother Goddess! Come on!

Did I turn it off?

Please turn on!

If someone would have told me

that I would be sitting in USA

in 10 years’ time

and my goals will be...

I mean, even though I will play cricket,
the goals will be like totally different,

I would have given a
solid punch to that guy.

Cricket was a common topic of deep interest

for me and my elder brother, Unmukt's father.

We thought that Unmukt will be able to fulfil our dreams.

When he started going to the National Stadium,

he had to go there thrice a week.

Many people in the apartment will tell you,

‘We see a child riding pillion on a scooter everyday.’

People driving along would observe and point out

that the child sitting behind me is sleeping and can fall down.

Then I started being conscious about it.

Apart from that, on weekends, Saturday, Sunday,

we started taking him to the ground near Mayur Vihar.

When Unmukt was eight,

we were practicing as usual.

When Unmukt's father bowled at him,

the ball hit his helmet.

The ball went through the helmet's grill

and hit his nose.

His nose started bleeding.

We got very scared whether he is hurt badly and is in pain.

We said, ‘Let's go back. Let's visit a doctor.’

Unmukt said, ‘it's okay, Uncle. I am not hurt that badly.

We have just come here. We'll leave after we finish practicing.’

We too had the greed because
these were the ways to make him mentally strong.

Usually we would practice for two hours.

That day we practiced for four hours.

I wanted to play, I had to play.

There was no two thoughts about it.

Even if it would still be dark outside,

it would be foggy,

and would get very chilly.

Despite all of that,

early in the morning

I would wake up my uncle and my father saying,

‘Let’s go. We're getting late. It's time for practice.’

And taking them to the park

and practicing for those one and two hours

was unbelievable.

I loved it!

For many years, our time was spent around Unmukt.

We tried to keep the environment in the house such that

he would be always happy

and could focus on his studies and cricket.

He started excelling in competitive cricket.

We then started looking for the best for him-

the best school, the best coach, the best grounds.

Unmukt came to me when he was in class 8.

He had an 80-90% clarity on how to hit the ball right,

and whether the ball is meant for a drive shot, cut shot etc.

He would watch the ball early

and hit it late.

Because of this technique,

he was an attacking batsman.

He would mark out goals for the season,

doing well on the difficult pitches in Delhi.

As a twelve year old, thirteen year old, fourteen year old,

when you play junior cricket,

the competition is big!

The Ranji trophy players in Delhi,

the team that did pretty well in school cricket

was that of Modern School.

Getting admission to Modern School was not easy.

They asked Unmukt a question,

‘How will you adjust here?’

When you know that the kids here are rich, very rich.

They come from different background than you.

And I didn't know how I thought of that answer

but I just said that,

‘Ma'am, these are all the obstacles which would be coming in my way

but

if I have set my eyes on a goal which is I have come here to play cricket,

and obviously my studies,

but to take cricket to the next level,

I shouldn't been seeing these obstacles

because my vision is very clear.’

And she got so impressed with that answer and that was it!

In two minutes my interview was done.

So that is the time I clearly remember.

Now this is my goal, this is where I want to go.

Horse pads on, let's do it!

Spotting Unmukt's talent at Under-15

and wondering if he would go on to play for India

was not rocket science

because he stood out.

Facing an Under-19 fast bowler in a nets as an Under-15,

three years of difference,

you couldn’t make out whether this boy was junior cricketer

because he was wearing a helmet,

and he looked like a Under-19 player

Only when he took off his helmet and came out,

you realise that he was such a young fellow

and he was doing exceptionally well against the seniors.

Unmukt played competitive cricket for Delhi's Under-15 team.

We had one-day trial matches.

In those 5 matches, I scored 350 runs.

And I was the highest run-getter in Delhi.

And I did not get picked for the team.

We then realised that if he wants to play cricket,

he will have to train more professionally.

He would come back at the end of the day's play and analyse his knock.

The video analyst also would lock his weak points

which was a very good quality.

Not many batsmen do that.

Again, Under-16 happened.

And that year, a combined Under-16 team was formed for India

which was supposed to play with the Under-19 guys.

I got a chance to play in that Under-16 team.

I played really well in both the innings.

And I played my shots.

I got so many runs in India also; India Under-16 everything.

So they gave me a chance in the Under-19 side also.

Come here Unmukt.

Come here and sit!

Shot! Good shot!

He had all the attributes of making it big.

He had the game,

he had the dedication

and he had the scores to back him.

So my growth pattern if you look at it,

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th,

9th, I played Under-15.

10th, Under-16 and Under-19 as well.

11th ending, 12th starting, I got into the Ranji trophy squad.

And after 12th, just a week later,

I got into the IPL.

It was like growth, like this!

Any trouble coming in my way,

I have to work hard

and I'll be more successful and the trouble will go away.

He’s touted as the
‘next best thing’ in Indian cricket.

After Virat Kohli, if anyone is being considered
the most promising cricketer in India,

it is Unmukt Chand.

And he's done his reputation no harm by scoring

back to back centuries in the semi-final
and final of the Under-19 Asia Cup.

He somehow knew that

he'll lead the World Cup.

We've done really good as a unit.

All of us are very optimistic
and excited about the prospects,

and we are really looking forward
for the World Cup.

I was having a okayish tournament before that.

I was getting out in early 20-30, so

somehow at the back of my head it was like,

you know, this is the biggest moment of my life.

The biggest tournament.

And I have still not,

given my A-performance.

It was also a very emotional journey.

Two years together.

Practicing together.

Forming this team.

So knowing that this is the last time
we are gonna be together as a team,

and that was something
which is very emotional.

The hosts and the defending champions are way too in the final.

Looking forward to taking on the Aussies?

It will be really good for us if we

entered into the finals and play
against Australia in Australian soil.

The Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2012 final

I was praying to God that

God, today is his biggest test.

I was having tea and cigarettes, non-stop

I was having tea and cigarettes, non-stop

because what was happening in front of us was unbelievable!

Gone!

226 runs needed in 50 overs.

The one thing I told my teammates as well,

you know, we're chasing this down

come what may.

So going from the pavilion to the pitch,

That walk is very special for any batsman
because that's when you are

you're thinking, you're prepping yourself up.

And I was just thinking of 225.

I was just in my zone.

I knew that even if it is like 300,

we got to chase down.

They’ve caught out!

Well that’s smashed over mid-off.

Well over mid-off.

We were watching the match on the TV.

I could hear the sounds.

There was nervousness about whether it would happen or not.

My friend had come over here.

My friend had come over here.

She was telling me from outside,

‘He has hit a six! He's playing well.’

This fear has never left my mind.

So I stopped watching cricket altogether.

So I stopped watching cricket altogether.

Oh that's a glorious shot.

And he comes down the wicket and he middles it.

And this is gone out of here!

Oh extraordinary!

Extraordinary stroke!

Just shows his class by bringing up a 100 in style.

Like that!

Look at the invasion!

Unmukt Chand

does it again!

India are the champions!

I called him immediately

He just said one line,

‘Uncle, I did it!’

It felt like a dream that this was happening in front of us.

India's Under -19 team has created history

by winning the Under-19 Cricket World Cup
in Australia for the third time.

They beat the host Australia
with six wickets in the thrilling final,

thanks to a stupendous
unbeaten 100 by captain Unmukt Chand.

This is Unmukt’s character.

Today he’s done what he said he would do!

When he won the match it felt like

everyone from Delhi had come to this apartment!

From very far away

people turned up here.

And soon our house was hijacked!

As an Under-19 cricketer, for you,
nothing is bigger than the Under-19 World Cup!

Your first thing is that

you want to play Under-19 for India

and want to win the World Cup.

Those big sixes, where did they come from?

You'd put them away and, you know,
bought them out of storage for the finals almost.

Well, I was lucky enough to
clear the field on that particular day.

Special thing about his innings was that

it had a century written
from the first ball.

He had read the game beautifully.

After winning the World Cup,
it was a totally different experience.

I mean, when we left for the World Cup,

not many people knew us.

But the moment we came back after winning the World Cup,

at the Mumbai Airport

there was like five-seven thousand people outside the airport

and we received a solid, grand welcome!

Finally a proud skipper Unmukt Chand emerged

with the Under-19 trophy in his hands.

That was like, man what did just happen!

Best part of the game we were
not playing in India

so we didn't know much about
what was happening around in India

So that really kept us on the targets

and the belief was really strong
amongst the guys and

we always felt that
we'll go and lift the trophy.

After winning the World Cup,

they started inviting me to events where

people who were sharing the dais with me were Chief Ministers,

leaders in their own specific fields.

I received messages from a lot of actors.

Did you know apparently the whole
Indian team was sitting and

they were trying watching the finals.

I got a call from Yuvraj just after
the match, and he was really happy.

I also saw some videos
and Sachin, Dhoni and Virat,

all of them were congratulating us.

So it felt really good.

In the morning I might have to attend one event somewhere.

In the evening, there would a felicitation someplace else.

First ever CEAT Indian Young Cricketer of the Year.

And the winner is Unmukt Chand.

Brands started approaching me.

I started getting invitations for public appearances.

Media houses were calling me for shows and events.

Same with the radio stations.

As a 19 year old, it's the biggest feeling, right?

Hey Under-19!

You'll have to wait before you can take a Pepsi from here.

I am also the captain of Under-19 Team.

I see!

You won the World Cup,

I have also won the World Cup!

So you're saying that there's no difference between you and us?

The difference is I can be a part of your team right away

but you sirs, can never be a part of my team!

Play against Unmukt later on, which is going to be exciting!

I think it was a very different side of the world which I experienced.

India’s World Cup winner Unmukt Chand

denied promotion by his college St. Stephens

which has detained Unmukt
on the basis of low attendance

and the principal has asked Unmukt
to choose between sports and academics.

The college you're studying in is inviting you as a special guest.

So that was special!

That was a very different feeling

that all of this is so amazing!

And you become the 'famous boy' of the college.

Whether you like it or not,
you're a good looking young man

you know, cricket is a bit of a chick magnet!

You obviously get a lot of attention.

How do you handle it?

Well, obviously after the World Cup

You mean before the World Cup there wasn't any?
I don’t believe

many people coming up and you know,

What do they say?

Well they say many things but
obviously they congratulate me

for the everything that has happened.

I don't remember a junior player
giving so many interviews.

See, this is

this is not the right time to talk about it.
We’ll talk about it sometime later.

It helped him become a national player
even before playing for the country.

At the age when

your friends are thinking
about choosing a career,

at that very age you have

at that very age you have

already found the path of your career.

Yeah, many of my friends
are still thinking about what to do in life

but the most important thing is to have a vision in life.

Try to achieve my dream as early as possible.

India is just beginning to discover Unmukt.

What it took to have a child

who’s gone out to score a hundred against Australia

in the finals of a World Cup?

This boy had to be nurtured

because he was a big, big player.

He is capable of becoming a very big international player.

I felt that I'm one above the rest.

It felt like his journey is scripted.

His destiny has been written

because everything he thought of,

everything he wanted was happening for him.

I've been that person who’s the prodigy.

That guy who was supposed to get everything possible.

Apart from rigorous efforts,
how much do you believe in destiny?

Destiny is such that

obviously destiny

luck factor is important.

But that is not in our hands
so it's futile to think about it.

I became super confident of myself.

I thought anything I will touch,
it will turn into gold.

But if there is a sudden surprise call
for you to play for India senior,

are you ready for it?

Why not!

His rise was rapid.

Raising hopes to play for India.

Getting into IPL.

And the fact that he was well read,

he wrote a book.

This young fellow,

when he wrote that book,

people thought

it's gone to his head.

Unmukt, you wrote a book.

And you wrote a book very early in your career.

‘At a young age he's already writing books.
He doesn't have any work.’

I mean,

This is also something that may have reached your ears.

Why did you write the book?

I always wanted to write a book
but I didn’t know that

it would come up so early.

But you are confident about certain things

that this will definitely happen.

You see obviously, you know,
certain things you do for yourself.

I was so confident that we’ll win the World Cup
and then I’ll publish the book

That's why I started writing the book.

We won the World Cup.

And, I did not get very good reviews

from people who said that

he shouldn't have done this.

But why is that?

I mean, writing a book as a 19 year old is such a big thing.

You know, people think like this in India.

In other countries no one thinks like this. Everyone is like,

they do their work, they do multiple things

and they're like, ‘Good man, good! Well done!’

That's what people say, right?
And that's how it should be.

But to criticise someone is the easiest thing to do.

I think it shattered your confidence.

I said, ‘Where’ve you come from?’
He said, ‘Bangalore.’

‘And we're playing tomorrow with Sachin Tendulkar.’

And I said, ‘You shouldn't be here.’

I said, ‘What’re you doing here?’

If I were his manager, I would have kicked your backside

and say, ‘Go back to the cricket ground.’

I would have not given a million dollars

I would not let him come here.

You have the entire life to come back to these type of stages.

When we landed in the USA,

it was a very different experience for me personally.

I was completely all over the place.

Take out the rice, please.

Rice

It should be there

Should we make it in this or in something else?

And please take out this pan?

I still cannot chop onions.

Anyone can figure out that I have never done household chores.

Imagine I’d watch YouTube for recipes.

Mumma!

Make this into a reel!

Post it on Instagram.

Anyways you post about everything
on Instagram! Everything is there.

I just keep my followers engaged.

And how are my followers?

Should I chop the tomatoes as well?

You have to chop off the sides of the tomatoes too.

I know.

You’re crying?

You’ve just started chopping the tomatoes.

I didn't know like how to cook.

I didn't know the basics of managing the house.

Instagram queen!

I'm from the nutrition industry and I saw
very drastic change in my career.

The time zones were changed.

Yeah.

What’re you gonna have?

I’m on a diet right now.

I was not able to go back

because the flights were very,
very expensive.

Daily I was missing an opportunity
and I used to feel that I am dipping career-wise.

So what’s the plan?

See I really want to focus on my work.

Also I just got a mail.

There this brand in L.A.

I think it would be like a paid collaboration.

You get some brands here then US it starts

getting around.

I'm very

looking forward to the next one or two years.

We have a little one with us.

That’ll be nice.
We’ll take a dog here.

We'll have three kids.

Let’s have one first!

Hello.

Good morning, Boss!
Greetings, Mom!

Done setting up the house?

We’re doing it slowly.

It’s mostly done.

It looks better now.

You haven’t kept any plants?

We want to keep them
-We’ll get them now.

Indoor plants look nice.

Yeah, we have to buy the accessories now.

When are you going?

30th.

You have to cycle a lot for a month now in Tajikistan!

Wow, that’s so wonderful!

Nice!

You’re living your life!

You’ll have to wait before you live such a life, ‘Under-19!’

Alright, bye bye. Love you! Good night.
- Bye bye.

Love you! Bye!

I had to play a role of a wife,

a businesswoman,

of course, a daughter.

And

very, very homesick.

Rabri Falooda.

Reminds me of Delhi!

Should I finish this?

Yes, please!

I’ll then have to run 10 miles tomorrow!

Give it to me then. I’ll finish it!

No!

Is it better than Giani’s?

I liked Baskin-Robbins.

Bavarian chocolate.

That's it!

Mother Dairy’s Cassata.

Best!

Kala Khatta.

Oh!

Lovely popsicle!

I guess sugar high is like
- Sugar rush.

Sugar rush, yeah.

I think we should have taken two.

Sharing with you is the worst.

Why?

Because you say you won’t have it
and then you take 80% of the same.

During my lowest, darkest hours,

I could have resigned to fate.

I could have stopped everything.

But...

when you don't see any light in front of you,

when everything becomes very blurry,

at the end of the day, we all have that inner child, right?

Which gets affected.

That inner child needs some nourishing.

But then

that inner child was getting hit so much that

it breaks you.

pulls your confidence down.

First ball of the Pepsi IPL 2013.

Great start for the local side!

Have a look at the celebration here!

Can you beat this?

from a bowling perspecitive,

it is as good a start as you would want

None for one

Because of all the external

chatter, the prolonged chatter
around that Brett Lee ball,

Does that incident still haunt you?

See, there are times when a particular delivery

would have smashed

a batsman's confidence.

In Unmukt’s case, that ball
happened to be the first ball.

This ball faced by Unmukt is so widely discussed

because Unmukt had an image of a star

And when you are a star,
you are expected to play like one.

Can you tell me one batsman
who would have played that ball better?

No, because it had a wicket written on it.

Like the IPL experience.

Was it disappointing that you know,

you couldn't quite make your mark at a stage like the IPL?

I feel that

whenever there is a big occasion, like a...

like a IPL or

Major League now or whatever.

So that first ball, because I got out on the first ball, right?

That I hope it doesn't happen again.

It sort of,

comes back

for that slight bit, right?

That on the very first ball,
I don't want to get out.

You know, last year when you won that title,

you’d hit, you know, the limelight.

And you know, you were the toast

of the Young Indian Brigade.

The year after that though,

you struggled with your form.

Was it the low

after a high?

Or did you lose your focus?

How do you look back?

The dream was always there to play for the country.

But at that point of time, the desperation was
maybe more than the dream.

When you go and play domestic cricket
with this expectation that you are

one step away from playing for India,
the opponents try to make sure

that you do not get there,
so they keep their best for you.

I would hit one or two back-foot punch,
one out-drive and I used to get out.

I was adviced to stop hitting these shots.

I was too small to

to understand the reasons behind it.

What happened because of that is that I

stopped playing those shots

and I was like, I don’t want to play

these shots.
And when I was doing that,

I was getting out in various other shots.

His initial success as Under-19

why he could not convert it

was very

it’s a mystery.

Because I remember when he came back,

the celebrations were big.

The moment I used to leave the house,

I knew that I was a star.

Someone like you who has been regarded
as the ‘next Virat Kohli’ of the Indian cricket team,

are you sometimes, you know,

flattered with these comparisons that people make or

does that motivate you a lot?

When people started comparing me to Virat,

you start taking yourself a little too seriously, right?

Probably you're the only Indian cricketer
who hasn't played the senior cricket so far

yet you are having a stardom,

in terms of endorsement
as well as a fan following.

It really encourages me to do even better and
inspires me to play for the country

as well.

And I think all these things
are coming because of cricket and

that is the first priority as always.

It felt like

you know, immediately after the World Cup,

Unmukt started getting distracted a bit.

He’s very unlucky I'm not his coach.

He's not lucky.

I would tell you,

if I find he’s good,

I will make next three of his life
will be tougher than anything else.

That three years would give him
another thirty years to live like a king!

In 2013, there was Champions Trophy.

The Chief Selector called him and said, ‘Take it easy.’

After that, when the team was finally announced

Unmukt was not there...

When he was the India-A captain,

on the basis of that we felt like

once you’re the India-A captain,
any moment you’ll be in the team.

But what actually happened is that

his name was dropped off from the next India-A tournament.

When you look back at it Unmukt,

you were the Under-19 India captain.

Under-19 doing well.

You almost skipped a step in between.

Do you feel that way

that if I would have scored first-class runs in red ball cricket too,

I could have replicated that performances
into India-A performances

across- white ball, red ball.

Back then, we didn’t know that

after 2012, there’ll be a 2013

and then a 2014

and then while we wait, there’ll be a 2015 and 2016,

and 2016, the situation will be such that

he’s not in IPL

and he’s not in the Delhi team.

I was in Mumbai Indians and

they had retained me and because I was not
getting too many games over there,

you know, I spoke to someone and obviously

he told me to leave Mumbai Indians and,
you know, come to them and

and just because I wanted to play.

When the auctions took place, I did not get selected.

At that time, it was the biggest shock for me.

Unmukt not getting an opportunity to IPL

was surprising.

He was getting out to the pressure

of scoring quick, big as he walked in to bat.

Ultimately, at the end of the day,

when you sit and see the scorecard,

if there are no runs against your name,

it becomes easy for the man
gunning for him to get rid of him.

You've achieved everything
except wearing that India cap.

Did at any stage, did you ever feel like

why am I even playing? I can’t take it anymore.

There have been a few instances when I felt that

this is the absolute, absolute rock bottom

which is happening

to only witness another rock bottom,

which was even deeper.

In a span of one week, my IPL was gone.

I was dropped from the Delhi side.

I literally felt my clothes ripped apart.

This was

the absolute nakedness
I could have ever felt in my life

that now I was literally reduced to a club player.

And whatever I had done till then

it felt like it was all futile.

And then I have to start from scratch,

which was a terrible thought to even think about.

There is an analogy for Delhi.

It’s like a bucket of crabs.

So everybody's pulling you down.

So there’s no need to put a lid on it because

no crab has escaped till date.
Everyone drags you down.

Within the camp, within the team,

you felt that

people are actually, they’re

they’re slightly either jealous.

‘Look at him. He plays for India
but is not scoring runs here’ and all of that.

I think the worst was

even, you know, when I started getting dropped from Delhi sides,

the treatment I started getting from

coaches, fellow players,

it was too much

for me to believe that it was happening.

I could feel that they were trying to avoid me, ignore me.

They were trying to

make sure that I stay away.

That sometimes made me feel a little weak.

And then when things started

falling apart and the performance also stared going down,

it was like a double impact.

Delhi selectors were definitely at fault.

Why were they in such a hurry

to get rid of Unmukt Chand of all the people?

They started writing me off
as if I'm on my retirement stage.

But that time I used to feel a little hurt that

I'm only 24.

And the guys who were just starting,

they were being called as youngsters.

But I was being called as someone who was

done.

How soon will we see Unmukt Chand in the Indian cricket team?

What is your resolution?

See, putting in the efforts is in my hands.

When will the D-day finally come?

Let's hope it comes sooner.

There was a time when

Delhi used to lose

and the newspaper articles used to say,

‘Unmukt gets out, Delhi loses.’

After a point of time,

it all starts fading away.

Even though you are there,
you're just a small name in the corner.

So, I started losing that confidence,
that faith which was there in everything

working for me, to everything working against me.

I have heard from a lot of people,
peers and friends of mine

when I told them,
‘Okay, I’m dating Unmukt Chand.’

And they’re like, ‘His career is over.
Why are you dating him?’

‘Unmukt Chand, the one who got out on Brett Lee’s first ball?’

What’s the date?

12th March.

2019.

We are discussing our struggling stories and...

So we just wrote a letter.

To our future selves.

And let's see if it comes true or not.

Scary days!

I could see a very different Unmukt where

he was there and used to say,
‘When I go to play, I feel I’ll get out.’

I used to feel,
whatever I touch, I'll get it.

From that mindset, I came to a mindset that
whatever I do, I’ll ruin it.

You lose your focus.

You lose your

centre of gravity.

Your whole grounding goes away.

And that's not a good place to be in.

I used to wake up with a very sad, you know, mindset.

I would wake up feeling that it’s another same day today.

Obviously there are questions, right? About cricket.

Should I quit playing?

2019, again it was

very, very low for him.

There was so much of things
going on in Delhi cricket.

He wanted to move his base to Uttarakhand.

Things kept on going

bad.

After the last match,
I just got off my bus and my leg twisted.

I got a fracture in my metatarsal.

So my family asked me that
what is his plan-B?

And it irked me.

I was like,
he only has a plan-A

and he's going to play
the highest level order cricket.

After that conversation, I went to my room.
I cried because I know nothing was happening.

It’s been a tough 2020,

right? And it’s a last night.

I've just been

not selected for the T20.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

And we were feeling really bad.

You can see.

But times can change.

Anything can change.

Times will change.

He’s gonna be the captain soon again.

See, these tough years are the ones which

shape you into the person

you're eventually gonna be.

There was a time

I was doing

the biggest, I mean, commercials
with the top Indian cricketers,

top Indian brands.

And from there to

playing matches for ₹3,000.

That was like, I used to feel so small.

I was doing well in my career.

I was like,
okay, I'll take care of things.

He can, you know,
figure it out what he wants.

But then those thoughts, if I have kids
and if I'm not working,

who’s gonna take care of them
because he has no income.

(commentary)

I did various other things as well.

For instance, I did commentary as well.

But honestly, I used to feel so bad doing it.

The people about whom you’re
giving an ‘expert opinion’, they’re your peers.

Heart in heart you know that

you were so close to it.

And then you were there.
It could have been me

playing and not doing this.

(cricket commentary)

We gave it our all.

But he was not given even one match to play.

Baby, all set?

Yeah.

In 2021, I went back for Delhi selections.

I was told that, you know,

they’ll consider the performances, everything,

but I was not played a single game
in the entire season when

25-30 players played for the team in that season.

I knew there was a deliberate effort
in not making me play.

- Why was Unmukt Chand dropped from the Delhi side?

I think, when you are trying to graduate to the next level,

It’s the consistency and the performance
that’s going to take you there.

So much was expected of him.

He had that potential, he had that talent.

But maybe the mindset wasn’t there.

Talent and potential is only of good

when it is converted into performance.

You know, when you get an opportunity,
you need to grab it with both hands.

Somehow, he missed that bus.

If you’re not making a player play,

how will that kid sustain?

You’ve mentally and psychologically broken him, right?

Destroyed him.

And the he’s telling me,
‘Uncle, it’s getting very difficult.’

That guy, he used to believe in his manifestations.

He wrote a book about that;

he’ll win the World Cup,

is now saying that nothing’s working out for him.

And that's when I got scared.

I was like,

what are we gonna,
because I was losing faith every now and then.

There's nothing happening.

Whom should we like go and beg to?

I have always played my cricket
on my own terms.

I've always sort of performed.

Gotten into sides

I never had any godfather.

But the moment you feel that
now I'll have to start calling people,

that time I was like,
the forces are way too far against me.

They don't want me here anymore.

I was brutally honest with him

telling that it's over in India.

Don't think I’d want you to stay here for another season.

It took me like three months to

tell myself

and accept the fact that

India's not happening anymore.

And I have to be okay with that.

If, you know,

you want to be remembered
somebody would turn around and said,

‘Unmukt Chand, what do you
want to be remembered as?’

Obviously, you know,
I’ve played cricket from the very beginning.

So, 10-15 years of good cricket

for the country.

And then probably, I don't know after that.

Let's see.

Unmukt Chand left the Indian system entirely.

Opportunities limited in India when he lost form

to find himself sidelined in cricketing ambitions

and looking at cricket in other countries.

Take us back to your decision making

and where your career was in India

before you decided
to walk away from Indian cricket.

You know, that was probably
the most difficult decision of my life

to having, you know,

quit Indian cricket

and, I mean, in a way,

you know, as, as a youngster
when you grow up playing cricket in India,

and, you know, for me, especially,
I woke up every day thinking and

you know, my ambition was to play
for the country, to wear that cap.

Did it tug at your heartstrings

to have to decide
to leave the Indian system?

Somehow when things went south completely,

that's when I, you know, had to take this decision

of, you know, doing this.

But then it took me a lot of time to even
come to the acceptance that, you know,

now India's never gonna happen again.

Whenever a cricketer fails, he gets a tag

‘Next Unmukt Chand.’

He had only one religion

He held the bat and chased his only dream.

What was his mistake?

Somebody tell me.

They broke a young boy’s dream
and made him leave his country.

In my own personal conversations with God,

I’m like, ‘Why? Why are you making me

go through this?’

But he will fight.

Country maybe different,

but the fire within us,

the fire within him,

it’s still there.

He’ll rise from the ashes.

And he’ll soar high in the sky.

We’ll see who stops him.

Since I started playing cricket,

cricket was always more than
a profession, a job.

It was always a dream.

A dream to play for the country.

The first thing that happened when I left
India was the pressure just went down.

Because the whole pressure was

to play for India.

And when,

when I did not get that thing,

then what kind of pressure is there on me?

Is the question I always ask myself.

This story is like a

two phased story

India and Post India.

Coming to USA,

again making a name for myself.

For me, because everything started early

and everything came down early,

I have another chance of

getting it back.

And USA has given me that opportunity
to relive it in a different way.

The moment I came to USA,

Minor League happened.

Leading from the front,

his third half century in the Minor League

Such a natural and dominating player!

This man is in a league of his own!

I was so engaged in that tournament.

Went on for two months

What a great start for the batting side!

Probably, that has been the

most engaging tournament

I have played

till now because

I couldn't understand why he wasn't playing in India.

I see a different Unmukt.

I see a person who is more calmer, happier.

I was in the emotion where

it was all happening finally.

And he was so happy and content that
he was finally playing cricket.

It was the quarter-final.

We were chasing 178 or 180.

That day, there was a lot of,

you know, fighting going on
and during the game, a lot of

trash talking happening.

That day was like,

Man,

we have to do this.

The higest and the biggest six we've seen so far!

And I was like, bang on and

I was hitting a six on the pitch,
and then cussing

because they were trash talking.

I was again hitting a six
and cussing again.

And you know, so I was like so pumped up.

But

that game was good, man.

The way we chased 180.

I got 132 not out.

And probably one of my best innings in USA.

It’s a triple digit for Unmukt Chand. 100, not out

But from there, the whole belief system changed.

I mean,

once you win such games,
then you know that this championship is yours.

So that thing of
‘Unmukt Chand failed in India,’

in the same tournament,

to winning the championship as a captain,
the highest run getter, I think

that was the journey which I felt that

he showed the world
okay, he still have it in him.

Unmukt's team is currently on a 13 match unbeaten streak

Wins the toss,

opts to bat,

he's on song today!

I want to

give the story another ending.

Shouldn't be like Unmukt Chand,
this should be rather,

‘I want to be like that guy

who did it again after all the glory,

lost everything and then again regained it.’

So I want it to end over there.

Sky is indeed the limit.

Oh, I would love a signed book for sure.

Unmukt Chand,

the first Indian to play in the
Men's Big Bash League.

What it was like to debut in the Big Bash?

Well, it was great

you know, first of all to,

be picked for the Renegades and

yeah I’ve always,

you know, followed Big Bash.

When he hit a six

at the MCG,

at the longest boundary,

I think I realised that

what Unmukt was feeling that
he doesn't have in him anymore,

he still has it.

He still can do the best and come back
to the level he was playing at.

See, as a cricketer,

I always wanted to play for India.

But now that goal is not happening.

I'm still playing cricket.

And to me,

playing cricket at the highest level is still the goal.

I still want to represent a country.

Wherever I am, I want to be very effective

and want to win games for my team.

I’m trying to

relive my life in a different way.

Do one thing, keep this.
- It'll get wasted.

Why? Tea leaves do not go bad.

We’ll get it next time.

No.

We’ll get it next time.

I found a new perspective going forward.

If I can put more energy
and the same dedication behind it,

I am sure that

I think I can see a good future

going forward.

Samosas?

Does anyone want to eat Samosas?

Our narrative changed to ‘whatever happens
or is happening, is only happening for the good.’’

And I think that was so important
for us to see the good

in everything because

not everyone gets a second chance.

and he got that!

Major League Cricket

domestic player draft.

Unmukt Chand.

He's played pretty much in

Wohoo!

tournaments around the world

and what does he bring

for you

My weapons are ready.

Major League starts from the next week.

My driving force

coming to USA

has been, first, primarily

playing for USA.

I still want to

play all the franchise leagues
around the world.

Destiny... is the sum of hustle and drive

These bats also have had quite a journey!

In tiny eyes, we weave dreams so wide

Off we go...

Off we go...

Off we go... with a surge of passion inside!

Unmukt Chand taking the crease for his team again.

Major League had some good stats.

Yes sir!

In the end, he threw his wicket. That's the game!

Cricket has caught the eye of people
and that's what we all were here for.

The Cricket World Cup
will be contested in the U.S.

For the first time,

the United States is co-hosting and competing

in the International Cricket Council's
Men's T20 World Cup.

There is a chance that

you will play for the US

and US will play against India
in that T20 World Cup.

What would Unmukt Chand feel?

Man I've thought about this scenario
like so many times

in my head

and

I look forward to that.

One day, USA will play India.

And if I play for USA that time,

I don't know man.

It's going to be so

full of emotions.

Yes, I would want to compete
to the best of my abilities.

I would want to score runs.

I'm very happy for him.

He's getting to play cricket

and

but I'm also sad that

when I will have to write,
Unmukt Chand from United States.

Whatever the outcome of the game,
I don't know how I’ll feel after that

That's still a very blurry line.

But I'll be going all out, that's for sure.

My faith,

which has grown stronger over time,

in God, in universe or whatever you say,

knowing that he is
putting me in the right place.

And it's just the next step.

I'm just there. I'm just there.

So that keeps me going.

That hope, that it's going to happen, right?

The light is just there.

It's almost there.
I've just reached there.

And that is what keeps me going always.

I need to start building up on my

power stuff

when I'm just sort of doing this,

still if I can have a little bit more strength in this
- Yeah.

so that the ball starts going out.
- Yeah.

Yeah.

You just need more power.

Drive it up.

Seven, eight.

Drive it.

Good, yeah!

And you land your hands
going back, and then

That's it.

There you go.

Like this.

Drive.

Here

Dip,

drive.

The bodies flies.

Yeah. That's it.

Four seconds.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

One.

Two.

Three.

Boy.

So it's the same pattern as your

that’s it

Hands back here.

Get your base.

That's it.

Alright!

Hi bro!

What's up, my boy!

Oh wow, the weather in Mumbai looks good!

It's been raining heavily all week.

Oh wow!

It's such fun staying in an apartment
in Mumbai during monsoon.

That's true but

people face difficulties too.
- Right, it causes trouble.

It's like one man's trash is other man's treasure. That’s life!

That’s true.

When a batter gets out,

it’s painful for them, but the bowler enjoys it.

What are you up to nowadays?

The World Cup dates are out.

The World Cup is from June 4th to June 30th.

Have you started practicing for the World Cup?

It's going on.
I had taken time off for a couple of days.

I’ll resume after that.

Right now the Nationals are going on.

And it's a short tournament.

Two-three day tournament.

There are only four to five matches.

You work hard the entire year,

but then you know that these
two-three matches are important

because obviously, you know,

selectors are looking at it.

I didn't play today
because we are rotating.

We got like, five six openers.

And so, we're just,
one game each we are doing.

But I want to score the maximum
number of runs in this tournament.

That's the mindset.

Yes! What's up?

Hello!

Good. All good.

Nothing much.

Work's on, the camp's on.

How's your mindset?

Are you good?

Yeah I'm fine. I mean,

could play only two matches because of rains.

Couldn't

couldn't do much but

overall it's good.

It's a culmination of three years, man.
Down to one week.

You know,

in the last six years,

since the time I’ve known you,

I think when we were in India,

we would keep saying, ‘It’ll happen,’
but from within,

initially, from within, we knew that

it won’t happen.

Right?

But this time, it’s such that,
from within we know that it’ll happen

but in reality, if it’s not happening then,

it just hits you!

I think it’s a very different feeling I don’t know!

But, nervous but...

Yeah, fingers crossed I think.

We played pretty early in the morning,
so the wicket was a little damp

There are two types of pressures.

One pressure is when you're playing a good game
like a semi-final, final against a big team.

So that's another thing.

That pressure brings out the best in you.

The other type of pressure is

to score runs just to get selected.

‘Selections are going on,
someone is watching me.’

And you're like a little

skeptical.

So that's a bad sort of a pressure
which does not help you as a player.

In life, there have been many moments

where I was very disconnected.

I felt that there was no God, no universe.

There was no energy.

There was no intent.

And I know that

without intent, when you don't do that,

then things you're doing is half and half.

That is why I say God
put me into that situation or

he only gave me those adversities
because he wanted me to

approach things from a different perspective.

Our decision to move to the USA
was primarily based on the

goal of playing the World Cup

for USA.

And I could actually see him playing regular cricket,

which I didn't see him play
in the last six years.

After seeing so many

lows and lows and lows and lows and lows,

I think this was our one moment

where we could see
a little high for him.

The five-member Men's National selection panel of USA Cricket

has finalized the 15-member squad

for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

for former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand’s

Unmukt Chand’s retirement from Indian cricket takes

Despite an impressive performance
in Minor League Cricket,

where he scored over 1500 runs
across three seasons,

Unmukt Chand's career hits new crossroad,

Former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand's dreams of reviving his international cricket career face another setback,

after his omission from the USA squad in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

No spot for former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand in USA cricket squad

Chand's career mirrors the harsh truth,

The crushing weight of expectations and
fear of failure often weigh a player down

Let me give you a head massage.

Slowly.

Enjoying it?

Slowly.

Do you want to talk?

What?

About your selection.

Urghh...

What is there to talk about my selection?

Why don’t you ever share your emotions?

It’s okay.

See,

actually, that was my lowest moment.

I sat in the car and drove away

and

I just kept going circles.

And I didn't know what my future holds here

Why am I here?

Again that identity crisis happened because

last three years,

I had been dreaming of this

this World Cup, right?

And for that, you know,
working hard or whatever

And then that also didn't happen.

So it was like a big slap on my face.

I don't know how to make this better for you.

in any way.

Now it’s like, I don't even want you to be like,

you become very successful.

I just want you to play cricket

because after this, you might not get a chance to play.

I don't want, at the age of 40, you feel like,
‘I couldn't play enough cricket.’

Let's not get fixated with one thing.

It didn't happen, it's fine.

Now time to move on

and keep doing what we do the best.

New doors will open for us.

Yeah?

Yeah.

We never saw this coming.

His selection not happening in the World Cup,

the kind of dreams that have broken for us,

And again, we dropped the idea of having kids because

we can't.

We don’t have a house,

we don’t have stable incomes, both of us.

I don’t want him to go out

and think about how to feed my family

when he’s struggling with his career.

Welcome to the World Cup 2024.

USA set to take on the Mighty Indians

with confidence after historic victory over Pakistan

Things came to a halt in India.

When I came here, I thought that it's a new way but

when I again reached the pinnacle,

things again came to a halt.

They say that when you try to chase a thing,
it starts going away from you.

That's when I feel that
is this the end of my cricketing journey?

All the hard work since childhood,
what is the point of it all?

I used to consider myself 'special'.

Is it still there?

Are the good days behind me now?

I also know that there are
only limited number of years left now.

I know that there is a lot left in me.

‘Will I ever reach my potential?’
is a question which I always

sort of ask myself.

If that does not happen then I feel
I'll be a half-happy man maybe, you know.

Then what is the point of it all?

We are a creature of hope

and if that hope fades away,
then everything is gone.

I remember

my coach telling me that

this is the circumference of the ground.

The moment you pick up your bags and leave,

cricket is done.

I enjoy playing this game.

Maybe my best self will again come out.

Maybe when I am not chasing it,
it will come to me.

Maybe the good things
will start happening again.

Don’t slide out of my grip

Don’t fumble and slip

Don’t slide out of my grip

Don’t fumble and slip

A Childhood treasured,

With memories half-measured

A bit of dreams
and a bit of stories

Don’t slide out of my grip

Don’t fumble and slip

Don’t slide out of my grip

Don’t fumble and slip

A jar of glass,

Was half full

And half empty

A jar of glass,

where I closely hid

Dreams a plenty

A Childhood treasured,

With memories half-measured

A bit of dreams and a bit of stories

Don’t slide out of my grip

Don’t fumble and slip

Don’t slide out of my grip

Don’t fumble and slip