List of Indian Origin Cricketers Who Played For Other Countries
With a population of over 1.3 billion, India is home to almost all the people of the world. So, it is no surprise that Indians are found in every corner of the globe, from America, Africa, Europe to Oceania. Along with this, many Indian-origin players have also made their mark in the game of other nationalities.
With the glorious history of cricket, many cricketers of Indian origin are becoming such that they are leaving a big mark in world cricket. While it may seem that they are not native to India, their contributions to the adopted independent countries have been very successful.
A list of the best Indian origin cricketers is like any other national identity and is declared and approved.
1. Hashim Amla (South Africa)
When you look at Hashim Amla, you can easily tell that his roots lie in the continent. Before the mere mention of Africa, his father’s family is from Surat, Gujarat, where Hashim was born and raised. Amal Bureau made his Test debut against India at the age of just 21 at Udon Gardens. After 2006, he was made a permanent member of the South African team. A quiet student and popular for a time, Amal broke various records, including the fastest to 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 runs in ODIs.
2. Nasir Hussain (England)
England captain Nasir Hussain is an example of a veteran Indian cricketer. Born in Chennai, Hussain moved to England with his Tamil family after a long absence. He made his ODI debut in 1989 and played his Tests the following year. Over the next 15 years, Hussain became one of England’s most decorated batsmen and captains. On his heels, England’s subsequent 200-run comeback laid the clear foundation for future success.
3. Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies)
Guyana’s own Ramnaresh Sarwan is of Indian origin, as are his opponents and Hindu roots. He was a regular batsman alongside Chanderpaul, Gayle and Lara, who scored around 6,000 runs in Tests and ODIs. His ability to build innings and perform under control made him one of the greats of West Indian cricket for more than a decade. Sarwan also captained his team for a short time before retiring in 2016.
4. Shiv Madhur Chanderpaul (West Indies)
Born in the Unity Village in Guyana, Shiv Chanderpaul’s ancestors left India. Although he was Caribbean by birth, his discipline and batting style were indicative of Indian strength. Starting in 1994, Chandranpaul’s international career lasted for almost 21 years. He played 164 Tests, the fifth most by any cricketer, in which he scored 11,867 runs at an average of over 51. In ODIs, he added a further 8,778 runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer for the West Indies after Anand Lara.
5. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Yes, the world’s greatest spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is also of Indian origin! His grandfather migrated to Sri Lanka from South India to work in the tea gardens in the 1920s. Muralitharan’s cricketing figures with 800 Test wickets and 534 ODI wickets are simply mind-boggling. His unconventional bowling style, combined with great control and spin, made him a threat to batsmen. He is a proud symbol of the superiority of Indian origin in global cricket.
6. Samit Patel (England)
A cricketer of Indian origin, Samit Patel has been performing brilliantly in domestic and French cricket. In England, Nanalal Patel made his national debut in 2008 but struggled with fitness. He later made a comeback in 2011, playing in both England Tests and ODIs. Patel has played over 230 first-class matches and is a key player in T20 leagues like the PSL, LPL and BBL.
7. Sunil Salah (West Indies)
The name Sunil is synonymous with clear. The son’s family in Trinidad has Indian roots, and his father has listened to the heritage. His international performances for the West Indies have been limited due to his versatility and bowling security. But his league performances in the IPL and CPL have been unmatched. His power to make T20 cricket more powerful with both the ball and the bat makes him one of the greatest spinners of Indian origin in modern cricket.
8. Sunday Rampaul (West Indies)
Another Trinidadian of Indian origin, Sunday Rampaul hailed from the East Punjab region. Known for his consistent swinging action, Rampaul was at his peak during the 2011 World Cup, where he was a political prop against India, including Sachin Tendulkar. He played 18 Tests and 92 ODIs for West Indies, with over 130 international props. In addition to his bowling, he was a great batsman in the run order, scoring an unbeaten 86. His disciplined bowling made him a key part of the West Indies attack for almost a decade.
9. Ish Sodhi (New Zealand)
Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, Ish Sodhi moved to New Zealand with his family in 1996. A leg-spinner with a classical touch, Sodhi has been a vital part of New Zealand’s limited-overs setup. He has represented the Kiwis in all formats and is particularly known for his T20 appearances. With over 70 wickets in T20, Sodhi is one of the top wicket-takers for New Zealand in the shorter format. His journey from India to New Zealand is an inspiring example of how cricket crosses borders.
Further Reading: Most Runs by Players in Cricket History (Tests+ODIs+T20Is)
10. Stuart Clarke (Australia)
Australian fast bowler, Stuart Clarke’s father was born in Chennai, and his mother was Indian. Interestingly, Clarke entered professional cricket very late, after working as a real estate agent. He made his Test debut at the age of 30 and took 94 wickets in 24 Tests, often being compared to the great Glenn McGrath for his accuracy and control. His late start did not stop him from becoming a vital part of Australia’s bowling arsenal in the mid-2000s.
11. Rabivar Bopara (England)
Rabivar Bopara, born and raised in England in a Sikh family, made his breakthrough in domestic cricket as a batsman for Essex. His international debut came in 2007, and he quickly established himself as a respected all-rounder. He was one of those who established the innings and contributed to the bowling of the side. Bopara achieved the rare feat of three Tests, which underlined his record-breaking power. Although not his preferred choice, he is a memorable name in the game of cricket.
Conclusion
From Hashim Amla’s style to Muralitharan’s spin magic, Indian-origin cricketers have left their mark across continents. Their stories show how deeply Indian cricket has always influenced the run game, even beyond its borders. Be it in South Africa, England or the Caribbean, the Indian cricket DNA continues to shape global cricketing greatness.
