Nosthush Kenjige once played alongside cricket legends like Rahul Dravid and future Indian stars Mayank Agarwal and Manish Pandey at the club level in Bengaluru. Faced with a tough decision between pursuing cricket or a stable career, Kenjige chose the latter, migrating to the US in 2015 to work as a biomedical engineer. Despite cricket’s infancy in the US, Kenjige remained devoted to the sport. His perseverance paid off as he played a crucial role in the US’s surprising victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, recording impressive figures of 3/30.
Kenjige’s journey began in Alabama, where he was born before his family returned to Chikkamagaluru. He played early cricket at The Lawrence School in Ooty and later in Bengaluru before moving to the US. After impressing at a selection trial, he joined the national team but had to balance cricket with community service. His international debut came in 2017, and a major breakthrough occurred in 2019 when the US gained One-Day International (ODI) status, allowing him to become a full-time cricketer.
Reflecting on the challenges and achievements, Kenjige credited his family for their support. He acknowledged the impact of his coach, Pubudu Dassanayake, and his admiration for Rahul Dravid’s humility and conduct. As cricket gains momentum in the US, Kenjige envisions a bright future for the sport, with aspirations to qualify for upcoming World Cups and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.