As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup continues, India’s imprint on the tournament is extending well beyond its own squad. From North America to the Middle East, Indian-origin players are shaping the narratives of emerging cricket nations.
During the 131st episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew attention to that growing diaspora presence, spotlighting players of Indian origin representing countries such as Canada, the United States and Oman.
In a post on X, he wrote: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is underway and one of the things that makes us proud is the number of Indian-origin players playing the tournament. #MannKiBaat”
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is underway and one of the things that makes us proud is the number of Indian-origin players playing the tournament. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/49ftsvzsm5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2026
A global footprint beyond India’s own squad
Opening his remarks, Modi said, “Friends, I often say that ‘The one who plays, Blooms’. Sports unites us too.”
He then turned to what many Indian viewers may have noticed during the tournament. “You must be watching T20 World Cup matches these days. I am sure that while watching a match, you must be eyeing a particular player.”
That curiosity, he suggested, often leads to a moment of recognition. “The Jersey may belong to another country but on hearing their name, you realise that he is from our country.”
Canada, the USA and Oman were among the teams participating in the T20 World Cup, and each featured multiple players with Indian roots.
Canada’s Indian-origin core
Modi noted that Canada’s squad had one of the strongest Indian-origin representations in the tournament. He highlighted that captain Dilpreet Bajwa was born in Punjab’s Gurdaspur, while Navneet Dhaliwal hails from Chandigarh. He also referenced players such as Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva as part of a group making both Canada and Bharat proud.
“They step onto the field wearing the Jersey of their country and wholeheartedly represent that country,” he said, underscoring the dual sense of identity and commitment.
USA and Oman reflect India’s domestic pipeline
The United States, another emerging cricket market, also fielded several players with backgrounds in India’s domestic system. Modi pointed out that USA captain Monank Patel had previously represented Gujarat at the under-16 and under-18 levels, while players including Saurabh Netravalkar, Harmeet Singh and Milind Kumar have roots in Indian domestic cricket.
Oman, too, featured players with connections to different Indian states. Names such as Jatinder Singh and Vinayak Shukla were cited among those now representing the Gulf nation on the global stage.
Modi also noted that Indian-origin players are creating a place for themselves in teams representing New Zealand, the UAE and Italy, highlighting the widening footprint of the Indian diaspora across international cricket.
Cricket, diaspora and identity
For Indian stakeholders, the remarks underscore a broader industry trend: the globalisation of Indian cricket talent. As migration patterns evolve and cricket expands into newer markets, Indian-origin players are increasingly part of the growth strategies of associate and emerging nations.
Closing his reflections, Modi said, “This is the speciality of Indianness. Wherever they go, Indians remain connected to the roots of their motherland and they also contribute to the development of their workplace that is the country in which they live.”
