Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded Indian-origin cricketers representing foreign national teams, describing their global presence as a reflection of the “speciality of Bhartiyata” — a deep-rooted connection to India’s cultural identity.

Addressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister highlighted how sports unite people and nurture growth, saying, “One who plays, blooms.” He noted that during T20 World Cup matches, many viewers feel a sense of pride when they recognize players of Indian origin representing other nations.

“The jersey may belong to another country, but on hearing their name, you realise he is from our country,” he said, adding that such moments bring joy as these athletes proudly represent their adopted nations while remaining connected to their Indian roots.

PM Modi pointed out that Canada’s cricket team has a significant number of Indian-origin players. He mentioned captain Dilpreet Bajwa from Punjab’s Gurdaspur and Naveneet Dhaliwal from Chandigarh, along with Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva, saying they are making both Canada and India proud.

Referring to the United States team, he noted that several players have backgrounds in India’s domestic cricket system. Captain Monank Patel previously played for Gujarat’s U-16 and U-18 teams, while players such as Saurabh, Harmeet Singh and Milind Kumar have roots in Mumbai and Delhi cricket circuits.

He also cited examples from Oman’s cricket team, mentioning players like Jatinder Singh, Vinayak Shukla, Karan, Jai and Ashish, who have played cricket in various Indian states before representing Oman internationally.

The Prime Minister added that Indian-origin players are also part of teams in New Zealand, the UAE and Italy, contributing to the sport’s growing global footprint.

“This is the speciality of Bhartiyata,” PM Modi said. “Wherever Indians go, they remain connected to their matrabhoomi and also contribute to the development of their karmabhoomi.”

He emphasized that sports not only build character but also strengthen cultural bonds across borders, serving as a bridge between nations and communities worldwide.