The T20 World Cup 2024, currently taking place in the United States, has showcased a fascinating blend of talents from various backgrounds. In the tournament opener, the USA secured a historic victory over neighbors Canada, thanks to a stunning performance by Aaron Jones, who scored 94 runs off 40 balls. Interestingly, several players in both the USA and Canadian teams have roots in different countries, including India. Here, we highlight five such players who were born in India but are now representing other nations in the T20 World Cup 2024.
1. Saurabh Netravalkar, USA
Born in Mumbai, Saurabh Netravalkar is a key player for the USA team. The 32-year-old left-arm fast bowler once represented India at the U-19 level, playing in the 2010 U-19 World Cup alongside notable names like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Sandeep Sharma. Despite showing promise in domestic cricket for Mumbai, Netravalkar moved to the USA to pursue a career in engineering. However, his cricket journey was far from over as he revived his career in the USA, becoming one of the senior members of the American team.
2. Nisarg Patel, USA
Nisarg Patel is another player from the USA squad with Indian origins. Born in Ahmedabad, Nisarg has been a part of the USA cricket setup since 2018. A versatile cricketer, Nisarg is a left-arm spin bowler and a right-handed batter. With 41 ODIs and 21 T20Is under his belt, his experience and skills are invaluable for the USA team in the T20 World Cup 2024.
3. Monank Patel, USA Captain
It might come as a surprise to some, but the captain of the USA team, Monank Patel, also hails from Gujarat. Born in Anand district, Monank Patel has led the USA with distinction. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 457 runs in 23 T20I innings, including two half-centuries. His leadership and batting prowess make him a crucial player for the American side.
4. Dinesh Nakrani, Uganda
Uganda, making their debut in the T20 World Cup 2024, also features players born in other countries. Dinesh Nakrani, an all-rounder born in Kutch district, Gujarat, is one such player. A left-arm medium pacer, Nakrani has impressive T20I figures, with a best of 6/7. Before representing Uganda, he shared the Saurashtra dressing room with Indian Test cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara in domestic cricket.
5. Navneet Dhaliwal, Canada
Canada, another debutant team in the T20 World Cup 2024, boasts several players of Asian origin. Among them is Navneet Dhaliwal, a middle-order batter born in Chandigarh. Dhaliwal, who can also bowl right-arm medium pace, made headlines by scoring 61 runs against the USA in the tournament opener. His consistent performance will be key to Canada’s success in the upcoming matches.
The presence of these players in the T20 World Cup 2024 highlights the global nature of cricket and how talent can transcend borders. As the tournament progresses, it will be intriguing to see how these players continue to perform and influence the fortunes of their respective teams.
