With Suryakumar Yadav leading India into the T20 World Cup 2026, much of the attention will naturally centre on the hosts. Yet beyond India’s title defence, the tournament carries another fascinating Indian connection — several associate nations will be captained by players of Indian origin, adding an extra narrative to the global event. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 edition will feature associate sides such as the Netherlands, USA, Nepal, Namibia, Oman, UAE and Canada, all arriving with growing confidence and ambition. Having battled through demanding qualification pathways, these teams are no longer content with simply taking part. They are intent on challenging established sides and leaving a mark on the tournament.
The gap between associate teams and full members has steadily narrowed in recent years. The Netherlands have repeatedly sprung surprises at ICC events, supported by a solid domestic system and players with county and franchise exposure. USA and Canada have benefited from expanding domestic competitions and increased international opportunities, while Nepal continue to draw strength from passionate crowds and a strong spin culture. Namibia’s rise has been built on discipline and tactical clarity, while Oman and UAE bring valuable experience from multiple ICC tournaments and an ability to handle pressure situations. For Indian fans, the presence of Indian-origin captains leading associate sides adds another layer of intrigue — leaders keen to prove their credentials on the biggest stage.Monank Patel (USA) Monank Patel’s journey to international leadership has been far from conventional. Born on May 1, 1993, in Anand, Gujarat, he progressed through India’s age-group system, representing Gujarat at Under-16 and Under-19 level and even sharing the field with Jasprit Bumrah in his junior days. Despite early promise, his path in Indian cricket stalled.
After securing a green card in 2010, Monank moved permanently to the United States in 2013. At one stage, he seriously considered stepping away from the game altogether. Instead, he rebuilt his career from the ground up, making his international debut for USA in both ODIs and T20Is in 2019. Since then, he has been the backbone of the USA batting line-up, scoring 2,288 ODI runs at an average of 34.66, with three centuries and 18 half-centuries. In T20Is, he has also registered a century against the Bahamas. Appointed captain in 2021, Monank led USA to a historic victory over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup, earning the Player of the Match award. His performances in Major League Cricket for MI New York, including a career-best 93 in 2025, have further highlighted his ability to deliver in big moments.Dilpreet Bajwa (Canada) Dilpreet Singh Bajwa has emerged as one of the most exciting young batters in associate cricket and now carries the responsibility of leading Canada. Born on January 26, 2003, in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Bajwa’s early cricketing education took place in India. He trained at the Government College grounds under coach Rakesh Marshal and studied at Guru Arjun Dev School in Dhariwal, following the traditional age-group pathway with long hours in the nets.
Before leaving India, Bajwa produced a standout innings of 130 in an Under-19 match against Patiala, an effort widely expected to earn him selection for the Punjab Under-19 side. When that opportunity did not materialise, his family made a decisive move. In 2020, with his father Harpreet Singh working in the Agriculture Department and his mother Harleen Kaur a government school teacher, the family relocated to Canada. Bajwa made his T20I debut in September 2023 against Bermuda and his ODI debut in February 2024 against Nepal. In T20Is, he has already scored four half-centuries at a strike rate of 133.22. He also created history in Global T20 Canada by becoming the first Canadian to score a century, finishing unbeaten on 100 from 55 balls. Appointed captain for the T20 World Cup 2026, Bajwa is central to Canada’s long-term ambitions.Jatinder Singh (Oman) Jatinder Singh’s rise is rooted in persistence rather than privilege. Born on March 5, 1989, in Ludhiana, Punjab, he moved to Oman at a young age and began his cricketing journey without the support of formal academies. His early development came on cement wickets, followed by Astro turf, before transitioning to turf cricket in 2011 — a progression that shaped his adaptability.
Inspired first by Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline and later by Virat Kohli’s intensity and fitness standards, Jatinder steadily worked his way through Oman’s domestic structure. A right-handed top-order batter, he made his T20I debut in 2015 and his ODI debut in 2019, quickly becoming a mainstay of the national side. In ODIs, he has accumulated 1,704 runs, including four centuries and nine half-centuries, with a highest score of 118 against Papua New Guinea. In T20Is, he leads Oman’s run charts with 1,605 runs from 72 matches. Appointed captain in 2025, Jatinder guided Oman to their maiden Asia Cup qualification, marking a landmark moment for both player and country. As the T20 World Cup unfolds, these Indian-origin leaders will not only carry the hopes of their teams but also embody the global spread and evolving depth of the modern game.
