New Delhi: Abhimany Lamba’s cricketing journey has taken him from representing Rajasthan in the Indian domestic circuit to the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the Major League Cricket (MLC).In an exclusive interaction with Times of India. com, the fast bowler reveals why he left India in search of better opportunities, the challenges of adjusting to life in the US, and how part-time coaching helped him sustain his cricket dream.Lamba also reflects on the growing infrastructure of cricket in America, the growing involvement of young players and parents, and the impact of MLC. With USA eligibility now within reach, the Rajasthan pacer says his ultimate ambition is to represent the USA on the international stage.
I am grateful to the Texas Super Kings for showing faith in me and giving me opportunities. I just want to contribute as much as I can for the team.
Abhimanyu Lamba
ExtractsTell us about your experience with Texas Super Kings. What does it mean to represent such a historic franchise? Ever since we started watching the IPL, it has been a dream to play for such a franchise Chennai Super Kings. We always hear about the culture and the atmosphere in the team. I have always wanted to contribute to the IPL but this opportunity never came.So when the same Super Kings franchise selected me for Major League Cricket, it was one of the best moments of my life. After moving to America, my dream was to play in the MLC and represent the Super Kings franchise there. I am grateful to the Texas Super Kings for showing faith in me and for giving me opportunities. I just want to contribute as much as I can for the team.
Abhimanyu Lamba of Texas Super Kings during match 18 of Cognizant Major League Cricket Season 4 between LA Knight Riders and Texas Super Kings held at the Fairplex LAKR Cricket Ground, Pomona, California, United States of America (USA) on July 3, 2026. (Photo by Ron Gaunt/Sportzpics for MLC)
Your journey has been fascinating. You played domestic cricket in India before moving to the US. Why did you make this decision? Was it purely because of cricket? Cricket was the only reason for the move. I played domestic cricket for Rajasthan till 2021 but the opportunities were limited. There were already several fast bowlers ahead of me, and I didn’t have enough support from the state setup. The Rajasthan Premier League was also halted, which made things even more uncertain.When you’re 26 or 27, you don’t know where your career is going. That’s when you have to make difficult decisions.I came to the US for a tournament, and around the same time I was doing well in domestic cricket in India, but I still didn’t have opportunities. I spoke to some senior players and captains from Rajasthan, and they advised me that if I wanted a long career, I should move to another state or try something different. That’s when I decided to come to the United States.
The first year was very difficult. I stayed in St. Louis and after two or three months, I got homesick. Life here was very different from India.
Abhimanyu Lamba
Was your family supportive of such a big decision? Yes, they supported me throughout. They are the only child, so naturally it was not easy for them. But they knew how much cricket meant to me. They encouraged me to continue to pursue my dream and asked me to give it a shot in the United States. That support gave me the confidence to move.The move must be difficult. Have you ever thought about going back? Absolutely. The first year was very difficult. I stayed in St. Louis and after two or three months I got homesick. Life here was very different from India. In India, after practice, teammates spend time together and there is always activity around you. In America, everyone is busy with work. People leave for work in the morning, return home at night and spend the weekend with their families. At first, I found the culture difficult to adapt to. I also had to learn how to cook and manage everything by myself. It was not easy, so I returned to India after a few months.The next year, I came back mentally prepared. I knew I had to cook, live independently and make sacrifices if I wanted to pursue cricket here.
One thing I really like is the sports culture here. During the summer holidays, children are encouraged to play sports, and many young people from the Indian community take up cricket. Parents also play a huge role in supporting young cricketers. Traveling across the USA is not easy because the distances are massive, but families continue to make this effort
Abhimanyu Lamba
Do you need to work outside of cricket to support yourself?Yes. I started coaching part-time at a cricket academy in St. Louis. I worked with players aged between 15 and 20 alongside coach CD Thompson and Sunil Vishwanathan. Watching our academy players progress and represent higher levels was a proud moment. Coaching also helped me settle down and stay connected to the game while continuing my own cricket.
Abhimanyu Lamba played domestic cricket for Rajasthan in India. (Photo: TSK)
You captain a Minor League Cricket team and coach young cricketers. How do you see cricket growing in the US? Cricket has grown tremendously in recent years. When I first arrived, the facilities were the biggest challenge. In many states, winter lasts six or seven months and outdoor cricket is not possible due to snow. The players have to practice at home, which is not the same as training on suitable grounds. But things have changed significantly. There are now dedicated cricket grounds in Dallas, Los Angeles and St. Louis, and more stadiums are built.The US Under-19 team has qualified for the World Cup, women’s cricket is growing rapidly and there are many more tournaments such as the Houston Open, Atlanta Open, USPL and US Open.
My goal is to become eligible to represent the United States. Under the eligibility rules, I have to stay here continuously for three years. I have already spent almost two years here and want to continue playing franchise cricket while working towards USA eligibility.
Abhimanyu Lamba
One thing I really like is the sports culture here. During the summer holidays, children are encouraged to play sports, and many young people from the Indian community take up cricket. Parents also play a huge role in supporting young cricketers. Traveling across the USA is not easy because the distances are massive, but families continue to make this effort. The board is also investing in youth cricket, so the future looks promising.Do you still dream of playing international cricket? For sure. When I joined the MLC, many people asked me about my next goal. My goal is to become eligible to represent the United States. Under the eligibility rules, I have to stay here continuously for three years. I have already spent almost two years here and want to continue playing franchise cricket while working towards USA eligibility.I discussed with my parents and family why it means staying here for a longer period. My sister has lived in America for over a decade and has helped me immensely through this journey. With cricket becoming part of the Olympics and the sport growing worldwide, representing the USA would be a huge honor. I look forward to becoming eligible and contributing to USA cricket.