Indian-origin players a force to reckon in world cricket

Wednesday 07th February 2018 05:45 EST
 
 

Indian-origin players are a major force in the world of cricket. You can meet them in almost all cricket playing countries. Following are some of the leading names:

Jason Jaskirat Singh Sangha

Jason Jaskirat Singh Sangha has been the captain of Australia’s Under 19 team for the World Cup which was held in New Zealand. He is a middle order batsman and a right-arm leg break bowler. The Indian-origin cricketer made headlines across the cricket world for becoming the youngest batsman since Sachin Tendulkar to score a century against England in a first-class match while representing Cricket Australia XI in a tour match. He was 18 years and 62 days old and held his own while scoring a 226-ball 113.

Param Uppal

Eighteen- year-old Param Uppal, born in Chandigarh, like Sangha, is a classy right-handed batsman who scored 370 runs at this year’s under-19 championships at an impressive average of over 60. Uppal also bowls right-arm off-spin.

Gurinder Sandhu

Gurinder Singh Sandhu is an Australian cricketer who has represented his country internationally. Of Indian descent, he is a tall fast bowler. He played for the Australia Under-19 cricket team in the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Sandhu made his senior cricket debut for the Sydney Thunder in the 2011–12 Big Bash League season. He made his List A and First-class cricket debut for New South Wales at the end of the 2012–2013 Australian cricket season. Sandhu, born in Blacktown, New South Wales, is the first male cricketer of Indian ancestry to represent Australia in an international tournament.

Jeetan Patel

Jeetan Patel is an off-spinner who represented New Zealand in 19 Tests, 39 ODIs and 11 T20Is since making his international debut in 2005. Although the 36-year-old hails from an Indian family, he was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. His consistent performances in First-class cricket early on in his cricketing career earned him a spot in the national side and he played his first ODI in August 2005. Interestingly, Jeetan made his debut appearance as a ‘supersub’, a now defunct cricket rule which allowed teams to make tactical substitutions. The offie played his last international match back in 2013, a Test against South Africa, and had refused to return to the New Zealand team in 2014 in order to concentrate on county cricket.

Ish Sodhi

Talented New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was born in the city of Ludhiana, Punjab. While he was still a youngster, his parents migrated to south Auckland where Sodhi kickstarted his cricketing journey. The 23-year-old made his Test debut against Bangladesh in the year 2013 and has since played 13 matches in the format for his 35 wickets. Although the leggie has been decent in Tests and ODIs, his best performances so far have come in the 20-over format with 16 wickets in 10 matches at an average of just over 15.

Ronnie Hira

A left-arm spinner, Ronnie Hira is one of the few Indian-origin cricketers to have played for New Zealand in international cricket. He was born in Auckland and played most of his early domestic cricket for them before moving to the Canterbury side. Although Hira has played a few first-class matches, he is considered more of a limited-overs specialist and represented the Blackcaps side in 15 T20Is. He was unable to make much of an impression, though, as he picked up just 10 wickets at a high economy rate of nearly 8. However, Ronnie Hira is just 29 years old at present and can find his way back into the national side by performing well in domestic cricket.

Tarun Nethula

Born in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, leg-spinner Tarun Nethula was a 12-year-old when his family moved to New Zealand. He made his debut in First-class cricket for Auckland in 2008 and achieved early success when he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the season with 28 wickets. Nethula had a brief stint with the Kiwi national team in the year 2012 as he played 5 ODIs for them. However, he failed to make the most of his opportunity and could muster just 5 wickets at a pretty high average of a little under 50 and an economy rate of 5.65.

Jeet Raval

Left-handed batsman Jeet Raval was born in Gujarat, India but has played all his professional cricket in New Zealand. Raval is a prolific run-scorer in First-class cricket and has been given the nickname ‘Rahul Dravid of Auckland’ due to his batting exploits. Based on his stellar First-class performances, the southpaw was picked in the Kiwi squad for the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa. However, he did not get a game against either opposition and was dropped from the squad for the tour to India.

Munis Ansari

When you look at Oman’s Munis Ansari at the start of his run-up, bounding towards the batsman and preparing to deliver the ball, you don’t think you’re going to see anything special. It’s at the start of his bowling action that all hell breaks loose. Munis Ansari is a slinger – called Oman’s Malinga – because of the similarity in their actions. Born in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, Ansari quickly made his way into Oman’s international side thanks to his quick bowling and deadly accuracy. Though it is not easy to bowl with this action, Ansari bowls with good pace and a nagging line.

Rajesh Ranpura

Another player of Indian-origin from Oman, Rajesh Ranpura is the poster-boy of Oman’s resurgence at the international level. Born in Palanpur, Gujarat, Ranpura quickly rose to the national side by putting in a series of impressive performances. A fast bowler, Ranpura regularly opens with the new ball, extracting movement in the air and off the seam as he tries to cut the opposition team down to size. His new ball partnership with Munis Ansari troubled many teams in the recently concluded ICC T20 Qualifiers. Ranpura is Oman’s leading wicket taker in T20s, with 15 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 6.52.

Ajay Lalcheta

Ajay Lalcheta represents the country of Oman, and is the embodiment of their hopes and dreams. Born in Porbandar, Gujarat, Lalcheta, a slow-left arm bowler, initially played for Saurashtra in underage cricket. He would play his last match in India in 2005 and then emigrate to Oman.

Jatinder Singh

Meet Oman’s best batsman – Jatinder Singh. Originally from Ludhiana, Jatinder is presently the face of Oman cricket. He is the highest run-scorer for Oman in T20s, with 349 runs in 11 matches, with a highest of 65. He initially impressed in the 2012 World T20 Qualifier with two contrasting half centuries – a slow 56 against Ireland and a stroke-filled 56 against Denmark. An elegant right handed batsman, Jatinder proved that he could hit the big shots when he made his highest score against a strong Netherlands team which was looking to overwhelm them in the group stages.

Hashim Amla

Of Indian origin - his grandparents migrated to South Africa from Gujarat - Hashim Amla is one of the finest stroke-makers in the game. His supple wrists are a delight to watch, especially when he stands up tall to play those forcing shots off the back-foot, or when he is tucking it off his pads nonchalantly through the on side. He was appointed captain of his state side - the Nashua Dolphins - at the tender age of 21 and soon impressed everyone with his demeanour. Earmarked as a special talent right from his young age, he led the South African side at the 2002 Under-19 World Cup and made his Test debut against India in 2004-05.


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