Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently discussed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and recognized Indian-origin cricketers who play for various countries. His comments were made during the 131st episode of his radio show, Mann Ki Baat.
PM Modi noted that players of Indian descent are currently part of teams from the USA, Canada, and Oman, highlighting their achievements as a point of national pride.
PM Modi Commends Indian-Origin Cricketers
The Prime Minister mentioned how sports foster connections among people. He pointed out that viewers of the T20 World Cup will notice players with Indian names representing different International teams.
PM Modi remarked:
“I often say that sports bring us together. While watching the T20 World Cup matches, you might be focused on a particular player. The jersey may belong to another country, but when you hear their name, you recognize they are from our country. These moments bring a sense of joy because the player is of Indian origin and represents the nation where their family resides. They proudly wear their country’s jersey. Canada has the highest number of Indian-origin players.”
He highlighted several notable players, such as Canadian captain Dilpreet Bajwa from Gurdaspur, Punjab, and Navneet Dhaliwal from Chandigarh. He also mentioned Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva.
Additionally, he recognized USA captain Monank Patel, who played youth Cricket in Gujarat, along with Saurabh Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, and Milind Kumar. From Oman, he acknowledged players like Jatinder Singh, Vinayak Shukla, Karan Sonavale, Jay Odedra, and Ashish Odedara.
Strong Efforts Despite Tough Outcomes
PM Modi shared that Indian-origin athletes also compete for teams in New Zealand, UAE, and Italy. He explained how their successes inspire young people in their respective countries.
He added:
“Many Indian-origin players are bringing pride to their countries and serving as role models for the youth. This is the essence of being Indian. No matter where they go, they remain connected to their roots and contribute positively to the countries they live in.”
Despite being eliminated from the Super 8 stage, teams from the USA, Canada, and Oman displayed great commitment. The USA won two out of their four group matches, while Canada and Oman were unable to secure victories.
Even without qualifying, the performances of these players have received recognition and appreciation from fans around the globe.
