New Delhi: Abhimany Lamba’s cricketing journey took him from representing Rajasthan in India’s domestic circuit to Texas Super Kings (TSK) in 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 United States, and how part-time coaching helped him pursue his cricket dream.Lamba also weighed in on the growing infrastructure of cricket in America, the growing involvement of young players and parents, and the impact of the MLC. With USA qualification now within reach, the Rajasthan pacer says his ultimate ambition is to represent 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
Quotes:Tell us about your experience in Texas Super Kings:. What does it mean to represent such a historic franchise? Ever since we started watching IPL, it’s been a dream to play for a franchise like that Chennai Super Kings:. We always hear about the culture and atmosphere within the team. I always wanted to contribute to the IPL, but that opportunity never came.So, when I was selected by the same Super Kings franchise for Major League Cricket, it was one of the best moments of my life. After moving to America, my dream is to play in the MLC and represent the Super Kings franchise here. 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 of Texas Super Kings during match 18 of Cognizant Major League Cricket season 4 between LA Knight Riders and Texas Super Kings held at Fairplex LAKR Cricket Ground, Pomona, California, United States of America (USA) on 3rd July 2026. (Photo by Ron Gaunt / Sportzpics for MLC)
Your journey has been interesting. You played domestic cricket in India before moving to the USA. Why did you make that decision? Is it because of cricket? Cricket is the only reason to move. I am playing domestic cricket for Rajasthan till 2021, but the opportunities are limited. There were already a lot of fast bowlers ahead of me, and I didn’t get enough support from the state setup. The Rajasthan Premier League has also been suspended, making 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 tough decisions.I came to USA for a tournament, and at the same time I performed well in domestic cricket in India but still didn’t get opportunities. I spoke to some senior players and captains in Rajasthan, and they advised me that if I want a long career, I should either move to another state or try something different. That’s when I decided to go to the USA.
The first year was very difficult. I stayed in St. Louis and after two or three months, I was homesick. Life here is very different from India.
Abhimanyu Lamba
Is your family supportive of such a big decision? Yes, they supported me throughout. I’m an only child, so naturally it’s not easy for them. But they know how important cricket is to me. They encouraged me to continue chasing my dream and asked me to give it a proper shot in the USA. That support gave me the confidence to act.It’s really hard to move. Have you thought about going back? Absolutely. The first year was very difficult. I stayed in St. Louis and after two or three months I was homesick. Life here is 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 adjust to. I also had to learn 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 know I have to cook, live independently and make sacrifices if I want to continue cricket here.
One thing I really like is the sport culture here. During the summer holidays, children are encouraged to play sports, and many youngsters from the Indian community take up cricket. Parents also play a big role in supporting young cricketers. Traveling across the USA is not easy because the distances are great, but families continue to make that effort.
Abhimanyu Lamba
Do you have to work outside of cricket to support yourself?Yes. I started teaching part-time at a cricket academy in St. Louis: I work with players aged between 15 and 20 years with head coach CD Thompson and Sunil Vishwanathan. Watching our academy players progress and represent at a higher level is a proud moment. Coaching has also helped me settle in and stay connected to the game while continuing my own cricket.
Abhimanyu Lamba plays 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 USA? Cricket has grown tremendously in the last few years. When I first arrived, the facilities were the biggest challenge. In many states, winter lasts six or seven months and outdoor cricket is impossible due to snow. Players have to practice indoors, which is not the same as training on a proper field. But things have changed a lot. There are now dedicated cricket grounds in Dallas, Los Angeles and St. Louis, and many stadiums were built.The USA Under-19 team qualified for the World Cup, women’s cricket grew rapidly and many other tournaments such as the Houston Open, Atlanta Open, USPL and US Open.
My goal is to qualify to represent the USA. Under the eligibility rules, I have to stay here continuously for three years. I have been here for almost two years and I want to continue playing franchise cricket while working towards qualifying for the USA.
Abhimanyu Lamba
One thing I really like is the sport culture here. During the summer holidays, children are encouraged to play sports, and many youngsters from the Indian community take up cricket. Parents also play a big role in supporting young cricketers. Traveling across the USA is not easy because the distances are great, but families continue to make that effort. The board has also invested in youth cricket, so the future looks promising.Do you still dream of playing international cricket? Definitely. When I joined MLC, many people asked me about my next goal. My goal is to qualify to represent the USA. Under the eligibility rules, I have to stay here continuously for three years. I have been here for almost two years and I want to continue playing franchise cricket while working towards qualifying for the USA.I discussed this with my parents and family because it means staying here for a longer time. My sister has lived in America for over a decade and has helped me a lot in this journey. With cricket becoming part of the Olympics and the sport growing worldwide, representing the USA is a great honor. I look forward to qualifying and contributing to USA cricket.