Led by Canada and the USA, more than three dozen cricketers of Indian origin are set to experience a unique “homecoming” when the T20 World Cup gets underway in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

Also Read: Usman Tariq gets strong backing as Chaudhary, Khawaja shut down allegations

For Mumbai-born USA pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, the tournament carries deep emotional significance. The left-armer will return to the Wankhede Stadium, where his cricketing journey began, to face India, completing a remarkable full-circle moment in his career. Though he never represented India at the senior level, Netravalkar has carved out a successful international career with the USA and now relishes the opportunity to play on the grandest stage.

Italy pacer Jaspreet Singh, born in Phagwara, is equally eager to showcase his skills in a country he left as a teenager. Meanwhile, Netherlands off-spinner Aryan Dutt, though not born in India, is excited to compete in the land of his roots, where cricket enjoys unmatched reverence.

Among the 20 teams participating in the tournament, Canada lead the list with 11 Indian-origin players, followed by the USA (9), Oman (7), and the UAE (7). While host India will look to defend their title on home soil, the influence of Indian heritage will be felt across much of the competition.

Saurabh Netravalkar (USA)
The 34-year-old left-arm pacer, who represented India at the U-19 level, arrives in Mumbai fresh from a standout performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. A software engineer by profession, Netravalkar was instrumental in the USA’s dream run last edition, including a historic upset over Pakistan. Facing India at Wankhede against former Mumbai teammate Suryakumar Yadav promises to be an emotional moment.

Monank Patel (USA)
Anand-born Monank Patel will lead the USA against India in the tournament opener. The opener made headlines in the previous World Cup with a match-winning half-century against Pakistan and now looks forward to facing his former Gujarat U-19 teammate Jasprit Bumrah.

Jaspreet Singh (Italy)
Italy’s World Cup debut places added spotlight on Phagwara-born Jaspreet Singh. Having moved to Italy in 2006, the pacer’s journey from tape-ball cricket to international cricket has been marked by perseverance. Playing at an ICC event represents a dream fulfilled for the former Uber driver.

Aryan Dutt (Netherlands)
The 22-year-old off-spinner is the only player of Indian lineage in the Netherlands squad. With prior experience of playing in front of Indian crowds during the 2023 ODI World Cup, Dutt will look to trouble higher-ranked teams once again.

Dilpreet Bajwa (Canada)
Gurdaspur-born Dilpreet Bajwa returns to India as Canada’s captain after relocating to the country in 2020. Despite early setbacks in Punjab’s domestic circuit, Bajwa revived his career in Canada and now leads the side in another global event, balancing pride with nostalgia.

Jatinder Singh (Oman)
Ludhiana-born Jatinder Singh captains Oman but may miss out on playing in India, with his team’s fixtures scheduled in Sri Lanka. Still, leading his adopted nation at a World Cup remains a special achievement in a career spanning over a decade.

(By PTI Inputs)