Top 8 Indian-origin sportspersons representing other countries

At one point in India’s history, the economic conditions were such that several families decided to migrate to other nations for employment and a higher standard of living. Non-Resident Indian or people of Indian descent, as they are called have made their presence felt in almost every country in the world.Their representation is also felt in the world of sport. Indians could be found not only representing other countries, but also flourishing. Some have a vivid memory of their time in India and others haven’t even had the chance to visit their motherland.So here are 8 of the best Indian origin athletes:

#1 Rajiv Ouseph (Badminton)

Rajiv Ouseph has won seven straight British national titles

In a generation, which has seen shuttlers such as Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth, another Indian has been shining for England. Rajiv Ouseph, currently ranked 16th in the world is England’s highest-ranked player.

The 28-year old has won the last seven national championships to assert their dominance over the domestic circuit. At the international level, Ouseph has won two Commonwealth Games gold medals and one Asian Games bronze medal.

“It’s nice to come back to India,” Ouseph told DNA. “When I was younger, I used to visit Kerala every three years. Since I started playing badminton, I rarely got the time.”

He is also the European junior champion and reached a peak ranking of 11th in November 2010.

#2 Harmeet Singh (Football)

Prior to Martin Odegaard, Harmeet Singh was considered the biggest up and coming talent from the Scandinavian country. The Norwegian International has never been to India but has his roots indebted to Jalandhar, Punjab.

After five successful seasons with Norwegian Tippeligaen club Valerenga, the defensive midfielder made a big money move to Dutch Eredivisie side, Feyenoord. However, he couldn’t make more than seven appearances for them, eventually returning to Norway with Molde.

Singh has represented the Norwegian national football team at both the junior and senior level. With at least 10 more years left in his career, Singh is one to watch.

#3 Hashim Amla (Cricket)

Amla has represented South Africa for the past six years now

The man needs no introduction; Amla is arguably one of the best batsmen of this generation and along with AB de Villiers forms a deadly South African duo. He has his roots from Surat, Gujarat.

Amla is the fastest cricketer to reach 5000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in 101 matches. He is also the fastest cricketer to reach the 20 ODI century mark. The 31-year old has already amassed 6319 ODI runs in 134 matches, averaging 51.79.

In test matches, he has scored 7358 in 92 test matches, averaging 51.45, including an impressive triple century. Amla represents the Cape Cobras domestically.

#4 Mohini Bharadwaj (Gymnastics)

Mohini Bharadwaj represented USA IN gymnasitcs

One of the finest gymnasts produced by the United States of America is Mohini Bhardwaj. Born to a Russian mother and Indian father, she would go onto win a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Apart from Olympic glory, Bharadwaj was consistent at the National Championships, winning the 2001 National US Championships in the pole vault category. She would also go onto win the bronze medal at the World Championships.

#5 Sim Bhullar (Basketball)

Sim Bhullar represented Canada in the FIBA U-18 tournament

The NBA’s first Indian origin players, almost made it through to the final squad, before being cut by the Sacramento Kings. Bhullar now currently plies their trade for D-league side, Reno Bighorns.

Bhullar has his roots in Punjab, India and started his basketball career at school level. He went onto represent the New Mexico State University. Bhullar has represented Canada’s U-19 team at the FIBA America’ s event.

During his college days, he was also voted the most valuable player, during his college career.

#6 Luciano Narsingh (Football)

Narsingh’s grandparents were plantation labourers in Holland, the 24-year old currently plies his trade for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. His father Furdjel Narsingh was also a professional footballer.

The younger Narsingh started his career with SC Herenveen, scoring 20 goals in 70 matches. He has also represented the national team nine times, scoring twice.

#7 Brandon Chillar (American football)

Chillar is only one of two Indian origin American footballers

Chillar is only one of two Indian American footballers, who played in the National Football League. He was born to an Italian mother and Indian father in Carlsbad, California.

Having represented UCLA at college level, Chillar was the fourth pick at the 2004 NFL Draft. He was picked up by the St. Louis Rams. In 2008, the linebacker moved to the Green Bay Packers, but was released by the Green Bay Packers.

He would also go onto become a primary investor for the Elite Football League of India, the country’s first American football league.

#8 Jeet Raval (Cricket)

Jeet Ashok Raval has just been picked for New Zealand's 16-man Test squad for their upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa. With the announcement, the Gujarat-born cricketer has become the only uncapped player to feature in the current Black Caps team.

The 27-year-old Auckland opener who idolises former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly but resembles Rahul Dravid while at the crease has enjoyed a phenomenal run of form and displayed outstanding maturity over the past couple of domestic seasons.

With Tom Latham and Martin Guptill, both struggling in their roles in the longer format of the game, the charismatic left-hander is expected to make New Zealand's first team to open their innings. Should that happen, Raval will join the likes of teammate Ish Sodhi, Ronnie Hira and Jeetan Patel who've represented the Black Caps despite their Indian origin.

Edited by Staff Editor