Monank Patel

Monank Patel is an Indian-born American cricketer who has been the captain of the United States national cricket team since 2021. He has represented the United States in various international tournaments since 2018 as a right-handed top-order batsman and wicket-keeper.

Patel was born on May 1, 1993, in Anand, Gujarat, India. He played cricket at the under-16 and under-18 levels for Gujarat before receiving a green card and moving to the United States permanently in 2016, settling in New Jersey.

Patel's international career with the United States began in 2018 when he was named in the squad for the 2018–19 ICC World Twenty20 Americas Qualifier tournament. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 208 runs in six matches.

Patel continued to represent the United States in various international competitions, including the 2018–19 Regional Super50 tournament in the West Indies, where he scored the first century by an American batsman in the tournament. He also played a key role in the United States' performance at the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament in Oman, where he scored a century in the opening match against Uganda.

In 2019, Patel made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for the United States against the United Arab Emirates, marking the first-ever T20I fixtures played by the American national team. Later that year, he made his One Day International (ODI) debut for the United States against Papua New Guinea in the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament, which led to the team gaining ODI status.

Patel's consistent performances and leadership skills have been recognized, and in October 2021, he was named as the captain of the American squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier tournament in Antigua. Most recently, in May 2024, he was named the captain of the American squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.

Patel's journey from playing cricket in India to leading the United States national team is a testament to his dedication and talent. As the captain, he will continue to play a crucial role in the development and growth of cricket in the United States.