6 New Zealand cricketers with an Indian connection

The New Zealand cricket team is currently touring India to play 3 Tests and 5 ODIs against the host nation. Over the years, this team from the southernmost country of the world has produced a number of fine cricketers who have excelled in different skills of the game.

There is a sizeable population of Indian-origin people in New Zealand and therefore, it is not a surprise that some current and former Kiwi players are descendants of the Asian nation. Apart from the ones who have already played international cricket, there are also quite a few budding cricketers who hail from an Indian descent.

Here are 6 players from New Zealand who have a connection with India:

#1 Dipak Patel

Former Kiwi off-spinner Dipak Patel was born in Nairobi, Kenya but moved with his family to England as a 10-year-old in 1968. For a decade or so, he played county cricket for Worcestershire and came up with some fine all-round performances.

However, owing to a constant snub from the England selectors, Patel decided to emigrate to New Zealand in order to pursue his dream of playing international cricket. Just a year later, in 1987, his wish was fulfilled as he made his Test debut against the West Indies at Wellington.

Dipak Patel played 37 Tests in all, scoring 1,200 runs at an average of over 20 and also picking up 75 wickets. He represented the New Zealand team in three consecutive World Cups – 1987, 1992 and 1996 – and is known most for opening the bowling during the 1992 World Cup.

#2 Jeetan Patel

Jeetan Patel has a five-wicket haul in Tests to his name

Jeetan Patel is an off-spinner who represented New Zealand in 19 Tests, 39 ODIs and 11 T20Is since making his international debut in 2005. Although the 36-year-old hails from an Indian family, he was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand.

His consistent performances in First-class cricket early on in his cricketing career earned him a spot in the national side and he played his first ODI in August 2005. Interestingly, Jeetan made his debut appearance as a ‘supersub’, a now defunct cricket rule which allowed teams to make tactical substitutions.

The offie played his last international match back in 2013, a Test against South Africa, and had refused to return to the New Zealand team in 2014 in order to concentrate on county cricket. However, Jeetan Patel is currently part of the Blackcaps Test squad which is touring India for a 3-match series.

#3 Ish Sodhi

Ish Sodhi impressed one and all during the 2016 World T20

Talented New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was born in the city of Ludhiana, which is located in the Indian state of Punjab. While he was still a youngster, his parents migrated from their country of origin to south Auckland where Sodhi kickstarted his cricketing journey.

The 23-year-old made his Test debut against Bangladesh in the year 2013 and has since played 13 matches in the format for his 35 wickets. Although the leggie has been decent in Tests and ODIs, his best performances so far have come in the 20-over format with 16 wickets in 10 matches at an average of just over 15.

Ish Sodhi was particularly good for the Kiwis in the 2016 World T20, where he claimed 10 wickets in 5 games and conceded his runs at 6.10 per over. The youngster has plenty of cricket left to play in his career and could turn out to be a star for New Zealand in the future.

#4 Ronnie Hira

Ronnie Hira has represented New Zealand in T20I cricket

A left-arm spinner by trade, Ronnie Hira is one of the few Indian-origin cricketers to have played for New Zealand in international cricket. He was born in Auckland and played most of his early domestic cricket for them before moving to the Canterbury side.

Although Hira has played a few first-class matches, he is considered more of a limited-overs specialist and represented the Blackcaps side in 15 T20Is. He was unable to make much of an impression, though, as he picked up just 10 wickets at a high economy rate of nearly 8.

However, Ronnie Hira is just 29 years old at present and can find his way back into the national side by performing well in domestic cricket.

#5 Tarun Nethula

Tarun Nethula played a few ODIs in the year 2012

Born in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, leg-spinner Tarun Nethula was a 12-year-old boy when his family moved to the country of New Zealand. He made his debut in First-class cricket for Auckland in 2008 and achieved early success when he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the season with 28 wickets.

Nethula had a brief stint with the Kiwi national team in the year 2012 as he played 5 ODIs for them. However, he failed to make the most of his opportunity and could muster just 5 wickets at a pretty high average of a little under 50 and an economy rate of 5.65.

At 33, though, there might just be enough time for Tarun Nethula to push forward his case for selection in the Blackcaps squad.

#6 Jeet Raval

Jeet Raval is yet to make his international debut

Left-handed batsman Jeet Raval was born in Gujarat, India but has played all his professional cricket in New Zealand. Raval is a prolific run-scorer in First-class cricket and has been given the nickname ‘Rahul Dravid of Auckland’ due to his batting exploits.

Based on his stellar First-class performances, the southpaw was picked in the Kiwi squad for the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa earlier this year. However, he did not get a game against either opposition and was dropped from the squad for the tour to India.

Jeet Raval will be hoping to earn another call-up to the New Zealand side so that he can prove his mettle in the international arena.