Milind Kumar: The Solution to USA’s Middle-Order Struggles

Milind Kumar has taken the ODI stage by storm, breathing new life into the USA’s middle order. The former Delhi and RCB batsman recently celebrated his maiden ODI century—a blistering 155* off 110 balls. In just seven innings, he’s amassed 354 runs at an astounding average of 70. But while accolades are pouring in, it…


Milind Kumar: The Solution to USA's Middle-Order Struggles

Milind Kumar has taken the ODI stage by storm, breathing new life into the USA’s middle order. The former Delhi and RCB batsman recently celebrated his maiden ODI century—a blistering 155* off 110 balls. In just seven innings, he’s amassed 354 runs at an astounding average of 70. But while accolades are pouring in, it wasn’t long ago that Milind found himself at the lowest point in his 15-year professional career, shortly after the Major League Cricket (MLC) season ended in July.

His journey to this form hasn’t been smooth. Arriving in the USA cricket setup with an impressive domestic record—including leading the Ranji Trophy batting charts in 2018—Milind’s international career stumbled early. He struggled to make an impact during the T20 World Cup and failed to register meaningful scores against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Things hit rock bottom during the MLC, where he scored just 50 runs in seven innings while being shuffled around the Texas Super Kings’ batting order.

“I was putting too much pressure on myself,

Milind admitted.

I had set high standards and was being too hard on myself after every failure.

Following the MLC, he sought guidance from his coach Haresh Kumar in India, sharing videos of his online sessions and dismissals. With a few tweaks to his grip and bat lift, as well as advice from the mental conditioning coach at the Super Kings, Milind also adopted meditation and breathing exercises to regain his focus.

These changes worked wonders. After MLC, he rediscovered his form with a smooth half-century and earned a spot in the USA’s ODI squad for the Netherlands tour. However, he was dropped for the T20Is after disappointing performances at number six—an unfamiliar position for him. But when captain Monank Patel entrusted Milind with the responsibility of anchoring the middle order from number four in ODIs, everything changed. Milind responded with a maiden half-century and a solid 47, showcasing the well-rounded batting skills that had been missing on the international stage.


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Since then, Milind has been a key figure in USA’s ODI lineup, crediting his resurgence to the faith shown in him by the team. When he’s in full flow, Milind exudes a calm, composed presence at the crease. Known for his ability to handle spin with precision, he has displayed a mastery of the basics, especially on tricky surfaces. In the Netherlands, Milind was one of the few players from all three teams to thrive on spinning, seaming pitches that tested even the best.

Milind took things to another level in Namibia. Before his marathon 155, he played a crucial knock of 74, rescuing the USA from a precarious position and guiding them to victory with five overs to spare. Historically, the USA’s middle order has been inconsistent, often faltering under pressure. But Milind’s calm, adaptable approach has been the remedy to those struggles. His recent innings have showcased his versatility—not only as a patient accumulator but also as a powerful hitter, smashing 10 sixes in his last two outings. It’s a stunning transformation for a player who was once overlooked as a T20 option in the USA setup.

Milind Kumar has emerged as the backbone of the USA’s middle order, proving his value at a crucial time. His ability to dig in when needed and unleash power when required has breathed new life into the team’s batting, solving problems that have plagued them for years. With Milind in form, the USA’s ODI future looks brighter than ever.