Former India U19 Spinner Shines in USA ODI Victory with Career-Best Figures
Former India Under-19 spinner Harmeet Singh achieved career-best bowling figures in a recent One Day International (ODI) match for the USA. On October 26, 2023, Singh claimed 6 wickets for just 27 runs against Nepal during a Cricket World Cup League 2 fixture held in Dubai.
Match Overview
The USA batted first, scoring 262 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Opener Smit Patel anchored the innings with a solid 75 runs off 100 balls. Despite a promising start, the USA faced a middle-order collapse, slipping from 143-2 to 171-5. Milind Kumar’s late innings contributions, including a swift 70 not out from 50 balls, helped stabilize the innings. He was well-supported by Singh, who added a quick 16 runs from just 6 balls, hitting two sixes.
Bowling Performance
When it was Nepal’s turn to bat, they faltered early, losing their opener Kushal Bhurtel for a duck on just the second ball, bowled by debutant Rushil Ugarkar. Harmeet Singh then excelled with the ball, taking crucial wickets, including that of Dipendra Airee, who scored 40 runs. Nepal was eventually bowled out for 156 runs in 39.1 overs.
Career Highlights
- Harmeet’s 6-27 marks his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.
- His previous best ODI figures were 3-40 against Canada in May.
- In his professional career, he also recorded figures of 6-110 in a Ranji Trophy match in 2020.
From India to the USA
Born in Mumbai, Harmeet Singh has a notable cricketing background. He played in two ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cups for India, contributing significantly in 2012 with six wickets at an average of 20.16. His first-class cricket journey began in 2009 with Mumbai, making an impactful debut.
After stints with various domestic teams, including Jammu and Kashmir and Tripura, Harmeet relocated to the USA, representing the co-hosts in the T20 World Cup last year. To date, he has played 19 ODIs, claiming 28 wickets at an average of 24.75, alongside 24 wickets from 25 T20 Internationals.
Statistics Summary
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 19 | 28 | 24.75 | 4.04 |
| T20I | 25 | 24 | 25.12 | 6.87 |
As Harmeet Singh continues to make strides in his international career, his remarkable performance against Nepal highlights his potential and contribution to USA cricket.
