Daijiworld Media Network – Chikkamagaluru (MS)

Chikkamagaluru, Jun 1: Nasthush Kenjige, son of Pradeep and Shritakeerthi Kenjige, natives of Kenjige village and coffee planters, has been selected for the USA T-20 World Cup cricket squad.

Nasthush has previously played both one-day and T-20 matches for the USA. However, this is his first selection for the national team in a World Cup tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

Pradeep Kenjige, Nasthush’s father, shared, “Nasthush was born in America while I was working in Arizona. When I asked the Native Americans in Arizona for a suitable name for my son, they suggested Nasthush, meaning 'Lion of the Desert.' Nasthush studied in Mudigere and at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru. He played for Swastik Cricketers Club. He had American citizenship, so he moved to the USA for a job and dedicated himself to cricket full-time.”

Nasthush is a left-arm spinner and a right-hand batsman. He has played 40 one-day internationals and four T-20 matches. He has represented Mumbai Indian Emirates and Mumbai Indian New York in the International League T20 tournaments held in the USA.

Nasthush has taken 38 wickets in one-day internationals. He made his T-20 debut in a series against Canada, where he took four wickets. His best bowling performance was 3 for 21.

In the upcoming T-20 World Cup, the USA is in Group A. In the inaugural match, they will face Canada. India, Pakistan, and Ireland are also in the same group.