USA skipper Monank Patel struggled and missed most of the initial over of USA’s T20I match against Canada on Tuesday (August 27). His 20-year-old opening partner, Sai Teja Mukkamalla, who was making his T20I debut, approached him to inform him about losing his form while trying to forcefully attack the ball and advised him to depend on his timing. The fact that it didn’t faze a 20-year-old, who had been sidelined for the last six USA matches and the two MLC seasons, illustrates the character of the cricketer that he is. It may also reflect what the current relentless American cricket environment has urged him to evolve into—calm, composed, and proudly confident in his abilities.
“He speaks little on the field, but when he does, it’s filled with significant insights. That is evident in his shot selection on the pitch as well,” noted Monank after Mukkamalla’s remarkable half-century in the same match against Canada. “He sat out for six matches, but he was mentally engaged. He would come in and highlight when our body language wasn’t up to standard. He possesses a sharp eye for observation. He isn’t hesitant to express himself.”
Mukkamalla’s shot choices truly stood out in the match versus Canada, marking his return to competitive cricket after a year-long break. He dispelled his initial nerves by elegantly driving only his second delivery of the innings through the covers. He displayed fearless bravery during the powerplay, dismantling the Canadian bowlers with seven additional boundaries, propelling the USA to a rapid start. His innings of 52 off 27 balls showcased his exceptional timing skills.
This explosive performance also made Mukkamalla the youngest player to score a T20I half-century for the USA. He holds the same distinction in ODIs, along with being the youngest centurion for the USA in ODIs. Those achievements occurred last year when he led a challenging chase against the UAE with a graceful 120* in a must-win match to progress to the final 50-over World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. A few months later, a brilliant innings of 55 off 46 against a full-strength Ireland confirmed his abundant talent.
Nevertheless, those swift advancements in international cricket encountered hurdles as Mukkamalla found himself on the sidelines during the inaugural season of MLC, a month following his half-century against Ireland. He was left out of the T20 World Cup after experienced players like Andries Gous, Milind, and Nitish Kumar surpassed him in the selection. Further challenges arose as the Texas Super Kings opted to grant playing time to their newly signed teen, Joshua Tromp, over the established Sai.
A defining trait of a true professional striving for new heights, Mukkamalla, initially labeled as a 50-over batsman, skillfully utilized this period of inactivity. He pushed himself to broaden his skill set as a batsman, adapting to the demands of T20 cricket. Collaborating with Albie Morkel at the Texas Super Kings, he refined his batting stance and adjusted his hand placement from close to his body to a more relaxed position away from his waist. This slight alteration, as he describes, liberated him as a batsman and allowed him to access more areas of the field.
Raised in New Jersey, Mukkamalla is part of a distinctive group of American cricketers who have developed their skills through a rudimentary cricket infrastructure. He is the sole batsman apart from Steven Taylor in the current lineup who has honed nearly all of his craft in America. There is a perception that the recent influx of professional cricketers from across the globe to the USA may have instilled a sense of apprehension within this ‘under-the-radar’ group regarding their career opportunities representing the USA.
This group of cricketers inherently faces a disadvantage compared to their more renowned counterparts who have participated in representative cricket in their native countries. There is often a bias towards selecting players with first-class experience over the raw potential of an associate-level youth. For someone like Mukkamalla, this prevailing attitude can be both daunting and disheartening. It is at this moment, especially in a land of opportunities like the USA, that the young player begins to assess the trade-offs. A perceived cricket career fraught with uncertainties and attitudes that are beyond his control or a stable corporate job that would provide him peace of mind, or at the very least certainty about his next paycheck.
“That’s genuinely a tad intimidating. Right now, I’m figuring out how to manage school because we have two tours coming up this semester, so I’m in communication with my college, but it’s somewhat stressful, to be honest, balancing it all. However, cricket is my main focus, and I adore cricket, so I’m not inclined to pursue any software jobs. I believe, ultimately, cricket takes precedence for me always. I will consistently prioritize cricket irrespective of the circumstances. And the instability is acceptable. I realize I can only play cricket until I’m 35-40, and after that, there’s nothing else. So I merely wish to relish the time I have,” stated Sai.
Monank is of the opinion that Mukkamalla possesses a mature mindset that belies his years. Mukkamalla attributes this mental strength to his father Nageshwar, who has devoted not only his finances but also everything possible to cultivate him into the cricketer he is today. In 2018, Nageshwar accepted an 80% pay reduction to relocate himself and Sai to Hyderabad, so his prodigious son could experience top-notch youth cricket at VVS Laxman’s cricket academy. Nageshwar lost his position as a senior manager at Verizon during this process but is thrilled to witness his son fulfill the dream they envisioned together, with Mukkamalla representing the USA. However, Mukkamalla is not stopping there; he is carving out his own niche in the fiercely competitive world of American cricket.
Image Source: Sai Teja Mukkamalla @ Instagram
