Indian-origin cricketers who played for other countries: In the diverse world of cricket, the sport has seen a fascinating phenomenon: Indian-origin cricketers making their mark on the international stage while representing other countries. These players, with their roots in India, have found their way into the cricketing squads of different nations.
From spinning wonders to power hitters, these cricketers have not only left an indelible impact on the teams they play for but have also become a testament to the global appeal and reach of this beloved sport.
Let’s delve into the intriguing stories of Indian-origin cricketers who have donned the colors of other nations with pride and distinction.
Nasser Hussain, England
The former England captain, Nasser Hussain, was born in Madras, which is now known as Chennai. His father, Raza Jawad ‘Joe’ Hussain, was a talented cricketer and field hockey player, and they belonged to a Tamil-speaking Muslim family.
In addition to his sporting heritage, Hussain is also a descendant of Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, who held the title of Nawab of Arcot State in the 18th century.
During his illustrious career, Hussain represented England in 96 Test matches, scoring a total of 5,764 runs, which included 14 centuries and 34 fifties. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he played 88 matches and amassed 2,332 runs, with one century and 16 fifties.
Hashim Amla, South Africa
Hasim Amla hails from a Gujarati Muslim family of Indian-origin, and they belong to a middle-class background. Throughout his career, he has been one of the most successful cricketers in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Setting multiple records for achieving milestones like the quickest to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, and 7000 ODI runs. Additionally, he has notched an impressive 10 ODI centuries.
In Test cricket, Amla’s performance has been equally outstanding. Over the course of 124 Tests, he scored a total of 9,282 runs, which included 28 centuries (including a triple hundred) and 41 fifties.
In 181 ODIs, Amla compiled 8,113 runs with an extraordinary 27 hundred and 39 fifties, achieving an impressive batting average that touches 50.
Stuart Clark, Australia
Australian bowler, Stuart Clark, has an interesting heritage. He was born to Anglo-Indian parents, with his father Bruce Clark hailing from Chennai and his mother Mary from the Kolar Gold Fields.
Throughout his career, Clark represented Australia in 24 Test matches, where he proved to be a potent force with the ball, claiming a total of 94 wickets. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he played 39 matches and showcased his skill by taking 53 wickets.
Ravi Bopara, England
The England star all-rounder, Ravi Bopara, hails from a Sikh family of Indian-origin. Born in London, he made significant contributions to the team during his international career.
In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Bopara played a total of 120 matches, amassing 2,695 runs and taking 40 wickets. His versatility as a batsman and a bowler made him a valuable asset to the team.
In Test cricket, Bopara played 13 matches, scoring 575 runs and claiming one wicket. Although his Test career was relatively short, he left a mark with his performances.
Rohan Kanhai, West Indies
The former West Indies cricketer, Rohan Kanhai, was born in Guyana, but his family roots trace back to India. With a remarkable career, he left an indelible mark on the cricketing world.
In 79 Test matches, Kanhai scored an impressive 6,227 runs, which included 15 centuries and 28 fifties. His consistency and brilliance at the crease made him a key player in the West Indies team during the 1960s.
Batting typically at number three, Kanhai was the reliable backbone of the top order, and his performances were consistently outstanding. Throughout his active calendar years in Test cricket, which spanned 15 years, he only had an average below 40 on three occasions.
Ish Sodhi, New Zealand
The New Zealand spinner, Ish Sodhi, was born in Ludhiana, Punjab. However, at the age of four, he and his family moved to Auckland, New Zealand.
In his international cricket career, Sodhi has played 17 Test matches, impressively claiming 41 wickets. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he has showcased his talent by taking 43 wickets in 33 matches.
Jeetan Patel, New Zealand
The former Kiwi bowler’s family hails from the city of Navsari in Gujarat, but he was born in Wellington, New Zealand. Throughout his cricketing career, he made significant contributions to the New Zealand team.
In Test cricket, he played 24 matches and skillfully claimed 65 wickets. Similarly, in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he showcased his bowling prowess in 43 matches, taking an impressive 49 wickets.
Keshav Maharaj, South Africa
Keshav Maharaj currently holds the esteemed position of South Africa’s top red ball spinner and stands second on the list of South African test spinners with the highest number of wickets. Recently, he had the honor of leading the Proteas in white-ball cricket.
Despite being born in Durban, Maharaj’s roots trace back to India. His father, Athmanand, is an Indian-born South African who had aspirations of representing South Africa in cricket during his early days, but the Apartheid regime prevented him from doing so.
Ajaz Patel, New Zealand
Ajaz was born in India but achieved fame as an international player for New Zealand. The left-arm spinner made history when he became only the third player in cricket’s annals to claim 10 wickets in a single innings.
What made this feat even more special was that he achieved it against his country of birth, India, in Mumbai, where he was born.