Odisha ropes in Hong Kong international Anshuman Rath for domestic season

The Indian domestic season has been disrupted for some time due to COVID-19 havoc across the country. However, states have already begun preparation for this year’s domestic season. In the same sequence of events, the Odisha team will have a professional international player in their ranks for this year. The 23-year-old cricketer Anshuman Rath, who is no outsider and from the state itself, is all set to mark his Ranji debut this year with the Odisha.

It has to be noted that Rath was born and brought up in Hong Kong to Oriya parents and has represented the country (Hong Kong) in 18 ODIs and 20 T20Is. He has been part of five first-class games too but they were not part of any national championship, rather ICC Inter-Continental Cup, which owns a first-class status.

“The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) has been warm and players are very friendly. I am looking forward to representing Orissa this year.

“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, I think in Hong Kong I was very comfortable. I really wanted to play in a challenging environment that is very professional and what better place than India for that,” said Rath to Cricbuzz.

Anshuman Rath was part of 2018 WC (ODI) qualifiers

Rath has had a sparkling career so far where he plied his trade in the 2015 T20 WC qualifier in Ireland and Scotland. The right-handed batsman has also been part of the ICC World Cricket League where he was the highest run-getter. The 23-year-old has also actively participated in ICC inter-continental cup, World Cricket League Division Two, and 2018 World Cup (ODI) qualifiers.

Rath is also done with his cooling-off period of one and is currently playing in the Orissa’s Inter-District Championship in Bhubaneswar. He has completed NOC and other requisites to be part of the Indian domestic season this year. Wasim Jaffer is the current Orissa coach and is quite impressed with Rath but didn’t go in length speaking about him as he stated it unfair to be just talking about one player. OCA secretary expressed his happiness on Rath’s joining.