From Rajasthan to Texas: Abhimanyu Lamba's Pursuit of the American Dream

Former Rajasthan pacer Abhimanyu Lamba plays for Texas Super Kings. (Photo courtesy of TSK) New Delhi: Abhimany Lamba’s cricketing journey took him from the Rajasthan national team on the domestic Indian circuit to Texas Super Kings (TSK) in Major League Cricket (MLC).In an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia. com, the fast bowler reveals why he left India in search of better opportunities, the challenges of adapting to life in the United States and how part-time coaching helped him keep his cricketing dream alive.Lamba also reflects on the growing infrastructure of cricket in America, the growing involvement of young players and parents and the impact of the MLC. With qualification for the US now within reach, the Rajasthan pacer says his main ambition is to represent the US on the international stage.

I am grateful to the Texas Super Kings for showing me faith and giving me opportunities. I just want to contribute as much as possible for the team.

Abhimanyu Lamba

ExcerptsTell us about your Texas experience Super kings. What does it mean to represent such a storied franchise? Ever since we started watching IPL, it has been a dream to play for a franchise like Chennai Super Kings. We have always heard about the culture and atmosphere in the team. I always wanted to contribute to 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 here. I am grateful to the Texas Super Kings for showing their trust in me and giving me opportunities. I just want to contribute as much as possible for the team.

Abhimanyu Lamba of Texas Super Kings during Cognizant Major League Cricket Season 4 match 18 between LA Knight Riders and Texas Super Kings held at Fairplex LAKR Cricket Ground, Pomona, California, United States of America (USA) on July 3, 2026. (Photo by Ron Gaunt for MLC/Sportzpic)

Your journey has been fascinating. You played domestic cricket in India before moving to the US. Why did you make that decision? Was it purely for cricket? Cricket was the only reason for this move. I was playing domestic cricket for Rajasthan till 2021 but the options were limited. There were already several fast bowlers ahead of me and I wasn’t getting enough support from the status setting. The Rajasthan Premier League was also 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 the US for a tournament and around the same time I was performing well in domestic cricket in India but I still wasn’t getting opportunities. I spoke to some senior players and captains of Rajasthan and they advised me that if I want a long career, I should either move to another state or try something else. That’s when I decided to come to the US.

The first year was extremely difficult. I stayed in St. Louis and after two or three months I was homesick. Life here was very different from India.

Abhimanyu Lamba

Was your family supportive of such a big decision? Yes, they supported me the whole time. I’m an only son, so naturally it wasn’t easy for them. But they knew how much cricket meant to me. They encouraged me to keep chasing my dream and asked me to give it a shot in the US. That support gave me the confidence to move.The move must have been difficult. Have you ever thought about going back? Absolutely. The first year was extremely difficult. I stayed in St. Louis and after two or three months I was homesick. Life here was very different from India. In India, teammates spend time together after training and there is always a buzz around you. In America, everyone is busy with work. People go to work in the morning, come home at night and spend the weekends with their families. At first I found it difficult to adapt to this culture. I also had to learn to cook and manage everything myself. It was not easy, so I returned to India after a few months.The following year I came back mentally prepared. I knew I had to cook, live independently and make sacrifices if I wanted to pursue cricket here.

Abhimanyu Lamba

Did you have 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 between the ages of 15 and 20 along with head coach CD Thompson and Sunil Vishwanathan. It was a proud moment to watch our academy players progress and represent the higher levels. Coaching also helped me settle in 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 Little league cricket team and train young cricketers. How do you see cricket growing in the US? Cricket has grown tremendously over the past few years. When I first arrived, the biggest challenge was the equipment. In many states winter lasts for six or seven months and outdoor cricket is not possible due to snow. Players have to train indoors, which is not the same as training on a proper pitch. But things have changed significantly. In Dallas, Los Angeles and St. Louis are now dedicated cricket grounds and more stadiums are being built.The US Under-19 team qualified for the World Cup, women’s cricket is growing rapidly, and there are many other tournaments such as the Houston Open, Atlanta Open, USPL and US Open.

My goal is to become eligible to represent the USA. As per 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 qualifying for the USA.

Abhimanyu Lamba

One thing I really like is the sports 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 US is not easy because the distances are vast, but families continue the effort. The board is also investing in youth cricket so the future looks promising.Still dreaming of playing international cricket? Definitely. When I joined MLC, a lot of people asked me about my next goal. My goal is to become eligible to represent the USA. As per 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 qualifying for the USA.I discussed it with my parents and family because it means staying here for a long time. My sister has lived in America for over ten years and has helped me tremendously on 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.