Indian Cricketers Shine in USA with Record-Breaking ODI Performances

In a remarkable display of talent, two Indian-origin cricketers, Smita Patel and Milind Kumar, have made headlines in the USA by achieving record-breaking scores in ODIs against Canada. Patel scored 152 runs, while Kumar matched a record with his explosive 115 runs. Their partnership led the USA to its highest ODI score ever, resulting in a significant victory. This article explores their journeys from domestic cricket in India to making an impact on the international stage in the USA.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 18, 2025, 14:54 IST

Dreams of Playing for Team India

In India, countless cricketers aspire to represent the national team. However, the competition is fierce, and many find it challenging to secure a spot in domestic cricket, despite their hard work. As a result, some players seek opportunities abroad to fulfill their dreams. Recently, two Indian-origin players made headlines by delivering outstanding performances while playing for the USA.

Historic Match Against Canada

On May 17, during a match in the ICC Cricket World Cup League-2 2023-27, the USA faced Canada. Smita Patel, a former U-19 World Cup winner with India, scored an impressive 152 runs off 137 balls. Alongside him, Milind Kumar contributed significantly with a blistering 115 runs from just 67 balls, matching a record set by Virender Sehwag.

USA's Dominant Victory

The USA achieved a remarkable victory over Canada by 169 runs in this league match. Patel's innings included 12 fours and 4 sixes, while Kumar's explosive performance featured 12 fours and 5 sixes. Kumar reached his century in just 60 balls, equaling Sehwag's record for the fastest ODI century, which he set against New Zealand in 2009.

Record Partnership

The duo formed a formidable partnership, scoring 208 runs for the fourth wicket in just 125 balls. Their contributions helped the USA set a massive target of 361 runs, marking the highest score ever achieved by the USA in ODIs. Faced with this daunting target, the Canadian team collapsed, managing only 192 runs.

Smita Patel's Journey

Smita Patel was part of the Indian team that won the U-19 World Cup in 2012 under the captaincy of Unmukt Chand. In the final against Australia, he played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 62 runs. Before moving to the USA, Patel played domestic cricket for Baroda, Goa, Gujarat, and Tripura, amassing 3,278 runs, including 11 centuries. He announced his retirement from cricket in 2021, which allowed him to play for the USA.

Milind Kumar's Background

Milind Kumar hails from Delhi and played domestic cricket for Delhi, Sikkim, and Tripura before relocating to the USA. He was the top scorer in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy with 1,331 runs and has also participated in the IPL. He was bought by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for ₹10 lakh in the seventh season and later acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹20 lakh in 2019. After being released before the 2020 auction, he found opportunities in the USA's minor league cricket and made his international debut for the USA in ODIs and T20s in 2024.