From Rajasthan to Texas: Abhimanyu Lamba’s pursuit of the American dream | Exclusive | Cricket News

extractTell us about your experience in Texas super king. What does it mean to represent such a historic franchise? It has been our dream to play for a team like this ever since we started watching the IPL chennai super kings. We hear all the time about the culture and atmosphere within the team. I always wanted to contribute to the IPL but the opportunity never came.So when Super Kings selected me to play in Major League Cricket, it was one of the best moments of my life. After moving to the US, my dream was to play in the MLC and represent the Super Kings team here. I’m grateful to the Texas Super Kings for believing in me and giving me the opportunity. I just want to contribute as much as possible to the team.

Abhimanyu Lamba of Texas Super Kings during match 18 of Cognitive Major League Baseball Season 4 between LA Knight Riders and Texas Super Kings at Fairplex LAKR Cricket Ground in Pomona, California, United States of America on July 3, 2026. (Photo: Ron Gaunt/Sportzpics for MLC)

Your journey is amazing. You played domestic cricket in India before moving to the United States. Why did you make this decision? Is it purely because of cricket? Cricket was the sole reason behind the move. I am playing domestic cricket in Rajasthan till 2021 but the opportunities are limited. I already had a few fast bowlers ahead of me and I wasn’t getting enough support from the state government. The Rajasthan Premier League has also been terminated, making things even more uncertain.When you’re 26 or 27, you don’t know where your career is going to go. That’s when you have to make tough decisions.I came to America to play and around the same time I was doing well in Indian domestic cricket but still didn’t get a chance. I spoke to some senior players and captains of Rajasthan and they suggested to me that if I wanted a long-term career, I should move to another state or try something different. That’s when I decided to come to America.

Does your family support such an important decision? Yes, they supported me throughout. I am an only child, so it is not easy for them. But they know how important cricket is to me. They encouraged me to continue chasing my dreams and asked me to give it a try in the United States. This support gave me the confidence to move forward.The move must have been difficult. Have you ever thought about returning to your country? Absolutely. The first year was very difficult. I stayed in St. Louis, and after two or three months I started to miss home. Life here is very different from India. In India, after training, teammates spend time together and there is always activity around you. In America, everyone is busy at work. People leave for work in the morning, go home in the evening, and spend the weekend with their families. Initially, I found the culture difficult to adjust to. I also had to learn to cook and handle everything myself. It was not easy, so I returned to India after a few months.The next year, I was mentally prepared. I knew if I wanted to pursue cricket here, I had to cook, live independently and make sacrifices.

One thing I really like is the sports culture here. During the summer holidays, schools encourage children to take up sports, and many young people in the Indian community also take up cricket. Parents also play a huge role in supporting young cricketers. Traveling across the U.S. is not easy because of the distance, but families continue to make the effort

Abhimanyu Lamba

Do you have to work outside cricket to support yourself?Yes. I started working as a part-time coach at a cricket academy in St. Louis. Louis. I work with players between the ages of 15 and 20, along with head coaches CD Thompson and Sunil Vishwanathan. Watching our academy players continue to improve and represent at the next level is a proud moment. The coaches also helped me adapt and stay connected to the game while continuing my own cricket.

Abhimanyu Lamba played domestic cricket for the Indian team Rajasthan. (Photo: TSK)

Your captain minor league cricket Team and coach young cricket players. How do you see cricket growing in the United States? Cricket has grown tremendously over the past few years. Facilities were the biggest challenge when I first arrived. In many states, winter lasts for six to seven months and outdoor cricket matches cannot be played due to snow. Players must practice indoors, unlike training on a proper field. But things have changed significantly. There are now dedicated cricket stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles and St. Louis, and more are being built.The U.S. U-19 team qualified for the World Cup, women’s cricket was growing rapidly, and there were more tournaments like the Houston Open, Atlanta Open, USPL, and U.S. Open.

My goal is to qualify for Team USA. According to the eligibility rules, I have to stay here for three consecutive years. I’ve spent almost two years here and I want to continue playing franchise cricket while working towards qualifying for the United States.

Abhimanyu Lamba

One thing I really like is the sports culture here. During the summer holidays, schools encourage children to take up sports, and many young people in the Indian community also take up cricket. Parents also play a huge role in supporting young cricketers. Crossing the United States is not easy due to the distance, but the family continues to make the effort. The board is also investing in youth cricket so the future looks promising.Do you still dream of playing international cricket? really. When I joined MLC, many people asked me about my next goal. My goal is to qualify for Team USA. According to the eligibility rules, I have to stay here for three consecutive years. I’ve spent almost two years here and I want to continue playing franchise cricket while working towards qualifying for the United States.I discussed this with my parents and family because it meant staying here longer. My sister has lived in the United States for over ten years and has helped me a lot on this journey. As cricket becomes a part of the Olympics and the sport grows globally, representing Team USA will be a huge honor. I’m looking forward to qualifying and contributing to USA Cricket.