5 Indian origin cricketers who captained other countries

It is a common phenomenon in cricket for players with origins in one country to go on to represent another one during their international careers. However, the sport has also witnessed instances when such cricketers have gone on to captain the nation they live in for a considerable period.

Over the years, a number of players hailing from India have skippered international sides other than their own. While some of them had quite a lot of success in the role, there were quite a few who couldn’t quite produce the kind of performance that was expected.

Here’s a glance at 5 Indian origin cricketers who captained other countries:

#5 Aasif Karim (Kenya)

Aasif Karim was one of Kenya’s earliest cricket captains (Image Credit: ESPNCricinfo)

One of Kenya’s longest-serving captains in ODI cricket, Aasif Karim, hails from the Indian community settled in Mombasa, Kenya. He was a regular part of the Kenyan team during their early years in international cricket, beginning from the 1996 World Cup and has represented the African nation in 34 ODIs.

Karim took over as the skipper of Kenya in the year 1997 and was at the helm for 21 matches, including the 1999 ICC World Cup. During his reign, the team won 6 games and lost 15. In 1999, the mantle of captaincy was handed back to former skipper Maurice Odumbe.

However, Aasif Karim continued to play every now and then before retiring from the sport following Kenya’s monumental 2003 World Cup campaign.

#4 Ashish Bagai (Canada)

Ashish Bagai is Canada’s longest-serving captain in ODIs (Image Credit: ESPNCricinfo)

A wicketkeeper-batsman of Indian origin, Ashish Bagai, remained pretty much the face of Canadian cricket during his 10-year-long international career. He played for Canada in 62 ODIs and 9 T20Is, averaging close to 38 in the 50-over format and over 40 in the shortest form.

Over six years between 2007 and 2013, Bagai skippered the national team in as many as 27 one-day internationals and 4 T20I matches. While he achieved success as a captain in 8 ODIs, Canada could win just a single 20-over international game under him.

Ashish Bagai’s last outing as an international player saw him captain the team in the qualifiers for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.

#3 Rohan Kanhai (West Indies)

Rohan Kanhai is rated among the best of West Indies cricket (Image Credit: ESPNCricinfo)

West Indian legend Rohan Kanhai is easily one of the best cricketers of Indian origin to have represented another country. Kanhai was a true genius with the bat and he showed various glimpses of this throughout his great career with more than 6000 runs in 79 Tests.

The master batsman also served the West Indies Test team as captain in 13 matches between 1972/73 and 1973/74 seasons. During his tenure, Rohan Kanhai achieved decent success as the team won 3 Tests and drew as many as 7. He also holds the distinction of being West Indies’ first ODI skipper.

Kanhai’s final appearance in Test cricket came as captain of the West Indies side in a match against England at Port of Spain.

#2 Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Hashim Amla has been moderately successful as captain (Image Credit: BT Sport)

One of the mainstays of the current South African batting line-up, Hashim Amla, hails from a Muslim family that has its origins in Gujarat, India. Amla has been one of the most prolific batsmen of the present generation and has scored runs in a heap for his country across all formats.

The stylish batsman has also captained the Proteas Test and ODI sides in recent times and achieved decent success. In 14 Tests under him, South Africa managed to win 4 and lose the same number of matches. Amla has also led his national team in 9 ODIs and 2 T20Is.

#1 Nasser Hussain (England)

Nasser Hussain has been one of England’s best captains in the past few decades (Image Credit: Fox Sports)

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain had a more than decent international career as a batsman. Born in the Indian city of Chennai (formerly Madras), Hussain fought hard to establish himself in the English team but made his opportunities count when they came.

Among England’s most successful captains in the past couple of decades, Nasser Hussain led the team in 45 Tests and 56 ODIs. The English won 17 Test matches and 28 one-day internationals under his reign, which included a number of victories on foreign soil as well.

Although Nasser Hussain played his last ODI match as a skipper, Marcus Trescothick was the captain in his last Test.