Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Indian-born or Indian-American individuals are increasingly holding CEO positions in major US corporations. This trend is particularly notable in the technology sector, with CEOs like Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft) leading the way. Leadership extends beyond tech with CEOs like Shantanu Narayen (Adobe) and Laxman Narasimhan (Starbucks) in other industries.
After leading as CEOs in USA, Indians have now transitioned to sports leadership in America, making significant strides in this domain as well. Monank Patel, the US cricket captain born in Gujarat, has demonstrated resilience, patience, and talent in securing a historic victory against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup, nearly ensuring America's spot in the round of 8, where the sport's powerhouse teams will compete. Let's take a look at the individuals of Indian origin or Indian-American descent who played pivotal roles in leading the USA to this momentous win.
Born on May 1, 1993, in Anand, Gujarat, India, Monank Patel began his cricket journey representing Gujarat in the under-16 and under-18 categories. Securing a green card in 2010, he made the move to the United States, establishing permanent residency in 2016 and choosing New Jersey as his home. The American captain achieved a remarkable half-century against Pakistan, guiding USA to a respectable run chase and a historic win.
Born in Mumbai on October 16, 1991, Netravalkar represented the Indian U19 team in the 2010 World Cup. However, due to stiff competition in India, he found it challenging to advance his skills. Renowned for his ability to generate pace and bounce on any surface, the left-arm pacer showcased his talent against Pakistan during the recent match. Notably, he has also competed in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai and has shared the field with prominent Indian cricketers such as KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, and Sandeep Sharma.
Born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to parents of Indian descent, Nitish went on to pursue his education in England, attending school and university there. During his time at Loughborough, he showcased his cricketing prowess by smashing a quick 141 in a three-day match against Nottinghamshire in 2017. Interestingly, Nitish's father had a cricketing background as well, having played at the Toronto Cricket, Skating, and Curling Club, which notably hosted the Sahara Cup ODIs between India and Pakistan in the late 1990s.
Harmeet Singh Baddhan, an Indian cricketer, represented Mumbai and Tripura before relocating to the United States to participate in Minor League Cricket. Later, he became eligible to represent the United States national cricket team through residency and earned his Twenty20 International debut for the United States in 2024.
Jasdeep Singh, born to Punjabi parents in Queens, New York, relocated to India with his family at the age of three. However, at 13, they returned to the United States and settled in New Jersey.