Anshuman Rath leaves Hong Kong behind to pursue India dream
Asia Cup, September 2018. Shikhar Dhawan’s 127 batting first takes India to 285/7 in 50 overs. Everyone expects the Asian giants to steamroll Hong Kong. However, the Hong Kong openers give a great fight and take the team closer to a win. They lose by 26 runs but their fight is applauded. One of the openers, Anshuman Rath has now left Hong Kong to play cricket in and for India.
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The 21-year old opening batsman who has an Indian passport plans to qualify as a local player. He will then try his luck in the Indian Premier League 2020 draft. Rath was the captain of the Hong Kong Cricket team. He is now slated to appear for the current Ranji Trophy champions. The wicketkeeper-batsman is in talks with Vidarbha Cricket Association. He will be available for selection for India’s domestic matches after the cooling-off period of one year.
Hong Kong team lost their ODI status after finishing at the bottom in the World Cricket League Division 2. They will now be playing in the Cricket World Cup Challenge Leagues. Rath was the top-scorer for his team in the competition. In 15 ODIs, he averages 51.75 and in 9 first-class innings, he has 391 runs.
The statement
Speaking to Emerging Cricket, Rath said, “I would like to thank Cricket Hong Kong for everything that they have done for me over the years. It has been a very enjoyable ride with them since the age of 12 but I believe it is time to move on. I wish the players and support staff all the best and I will be keeping a close eye on their future endeavours.”
“I will also be proud to have represented my birthplace, but I have to be completely honest with myself about the opportunities that are there for me both in earning capacity and playing experience with Hong Kong,” Rath said honestly.
The batsman has also represented Middlesex in county cricket. The county side did offer him a contract but the sporting visa required in England was open only to players from Full member nations.
Earlier, Hong Kong’s Mark Chapman also shifted base to New Zealand in 2018. He represented the Blackcaps in three ODIs.
