Top 5 foreign cricketers of Indian origin

India is recognized as a super-power in world cricket. The Indian team is among the best cricket-playing nations in the world. Also, BCCI, the cricket governing body in India, is the strongest body in the world.

People from India have often migrated to other nations for a variety of reasons. As such, people of Indian origin can be found excelling in different fields across the world.

Over the years, there have been some great cricketers of Indian origin who have represented other nations. Players like Alvin Kallicharran, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Nasser Hussain have Indian roots.

Let us take a look at players of Indian origin who are currently active:

#5 Keshav Maharaj

Born in Durban, Keshav Maharaj made his debut for South Africa against Australia in 2016. The left-arm off-spinner had been performing consistently in the domestic circles and a chance at the highest level was inevitable.

Keshav's forefathers were brought to South Africa a long time ago as labourers and faced a lot of strife in the 19th century.

Kiran More, the former Indian wicket-keeper, is a close friend of Keshav's father and has been influential in Keshav's upbringing as a cricketer.

#4 Ish Sodhi

Sodhi's parents migrated from Ludhiana, Punjab

Inderbir Singh Sodhi, known as Ish Sodhi in New Zealand, was born and brought up in Ludhiana. Sodhi rose through the NZ ranks as a leg-spinner and made his debut for NZ at the age of 19.

Sodhi's most memorable performance came against India in the 2016 World T20 where he and Mitchell Santner ran through the Indian batting line-up, bowling them out for 79. To everyone's surprise, NZ won the game comfortably.

#3 Gurinder Sandhu

Sandhu's parents are from Punjab

Hailing from Punjab, Sandhu is the first cricketer of Indian origin to play for Australia. He is a tall fast bowler and represented Australia in the U-19 World Cup.

Having made his debut for Australia in early 2015, Sandhu caught the world's eye when he was handed an IPL contract.

Coming to his family, Sandhu's father had migrated to Sydney for better living opportunities. He worked as a driver in Sydney, little knowing that his son would go on to represent Australia in cricket one day.

#2 Sunil Narine

Narine has been a match winner for KKR and West Indies

The mystery spinner is among the slew of cricketers of Indian origin to have represented West Indies.

West Indies, over the years, have seen lots of legends like Alvin Kallicharran and Rohan Kanhai whose forefathers hailed from India.

Sunil Narine rose to fame with his ability to deceive the best of batsmen with his mystery spin. Born in Trinidad, the spinner is among the most valuable cricketers in T20 leagues around the world.

He represents KKR in IPL and has been a match winner for the franchise with both bat and ball.

#1 Hashim Amla

Amla's grandparents are from Gujarat.

South Africa is another country where a lot of Indians can be found. People migrated to SA in search of better opportunities and Amla's family also migrated to the country from India.

Amla is among the best cricketers to have played for South Africa. He holds a plethora of records for the country. He is the fastest player to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs.