From India to the World: Indian Origin Players Lighting Up the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Indian Roots, Global Impact: Indian Origin players at ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7th, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. While the entire country will be praying for Team India’s victory, there is one group of Indians in this tournament who will be taking to the field wearing the jerseys of other countries.

From America to Canada and Italy, more than 36 players of Indian origin will be showcasing their talent for other nations in this World Cup.

Several Indian origin players will represent teams like USA, UAE, England, and Australia at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

For these players, this is not just a tournament, but an emotional moment like returning to their homeland. Looking at the squads of the 20 teams participating in the tournament, Canada has the most players of Indian origin. This is followed by the USA with 9, the UAE with 7, and Oman also with 7 players whose roots are in India.

Watching the T20 World Cup will feel less like an international match and more like an Indian domestic match because you’ll see players with Indian surnames in almost every team. Here’s a look at some of these players…

Saurabh Netravalkar: The engineer’s Wankhede connection

The most poignant story is that of American fast bowler and software engineer Saurabh Netravalkar. Born in Mumbai, Saurabh once played Under-19 cricket for India. When he takes the field against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7th, it will be a full-circle moment for him. Notably, he will be bowling against his former teammate and Mumbai Ranji Trophy friend, Suryakumar Yadav. He is most valuable Indian origian players in T-20 World cup.

Monank Patel (USA): A face-off against old friend Bumrah.

American team captain Monank Patel hails from Anand, Gujarat. In the first match of the World Cup, he will face his childhood friend Jasprit Bumrah. Monank and Bumrah have played Under-19 cricket together for Gujarat. Recalling the old days, Monank says, “We used to play red and white ball cricket together. Bumrah had that ‘X factor’ in him since childhood. We knew he would do something big.” Monank Patel is 2nd most emerging Indian Origin Players in USA cricket.

Dilpreet Bajwa, Canada: He has returned as a captain, after being rejected here.

The story of this Indian Origin Players Canada team captain Dilpreet Singh Bajwa is also like something out of a movie. When Dilpreet, from Gurdaspur (Punjab), didn’t get opportunities in cricket here and faced rejection, he moved to Canada in 2020. There, thanks to his outstanding performance in the Global T20 League, he secured a place in the national team. In just six years, he will now be playing the World Cup on his home soil as the captain of Canada. He will be shouldering this huge responsibility at the young age of just 23.

Jaspreet Singh, Italy: Used to be on the run, now included in the World Cup squad

The fourth big name on the list of Indian origin players is Jaspreet Singh, who is making his World Cup debut this time, and all eyes will be on this player born in Phagwara, Punjab. 32-year-old Jaspreet Singh moved to Italy in 2006. There, to make ends meet, he even drove an Uber taxi, but he never gave up his passion for cricket. Starting with tape-ball cricket, he is now Italy’s main fast bowler. Jaspreet has played in 27 international matches for Italy.

These Indian origin players will also showcase their talent.

Aryan Dutt’s family from the Netherlands had moved abroad from Punjab in the 1980s. They have also come to India to play in the ODI World Cup held in 2023.
Jatinder Singh from Oman is from Ludhiana. However, since all of Oman’s matches are being held in Sri Lanka, he may not get a chance to play in India.