Explore the fascinating journeys of eight cricketers who began their careers representing India before taking the unexpected step of playing for other nations. This article delves into their unique stories, the reasons behind their decisions, and the impact they made on international cricket. From early successes with the Indian team to their later contributions elsewhere, these players exemplify the complexities of cricket careers and national representation. Discover how these athletes navigated their paths, the challenges they faced, and their legacies in the sport. Join us in celebrating these remarkable cricketers and their diverse journeys in the world of cricket.

8. Abdul Hafeez Kardar:

Abdul Hafeez Kardar is on the list of players who represented both India and Pakistan, like Gul Mohammad and Amir Elahi. He played for India during the 1948 tour of England before moving to Pakistan.

In Pakistan, he excelled and became so respected that many players viewed him as a father figure in cricket. Kardar played in 23 Test matches for Pakistan and also served as the team captain.

7. Munis Ansari:

Munis Ansari, often compared to Sri Lankan star Lasith Malinga, joined India’s net sessions during the Sri Lanka series in 2005. Greg Chappell noticed his talent and was impressed by his love for cricket.

After some time away from the spotlight, Ansari played for Oman in T20 matches. He made his debut against Afghanistan in 2015 and participated in the 2016 T20 World Cup.

6. Swapnil Patil:

Swapnil Patil played international cricket for Oman but started his career in India. He is from Mumbai and played for Mumbai’s U-19 and U-22 teams before moving to the United Arab Emirates for work.

Patil took every chance he got in the UAE and had an impressive debut. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he played 13 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the team, with an average of about 25 in ODIs and 14 in T20Is.

5. Shakti Gauchan:

Gauchan trained in Mumbai before representing Nepal in international cricket. He also played for Mumbai at the U-15 and U-17 levels. He is the second player from Nepal to score a century, making 106 runs against Italy in the 2005 World Cup qualifiers. Additionally, Gauchan participated in the 2002 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand and played in the 2002 ACC Trophy in Singapore.

4. Krishna Chandran:

Krishna Chandran played List-A cricket for Kerala in India before joining the UAE national team for international cricket. He represented Mahaveer Jain College in Bangalore and later played for Kerala at the U-19 and U-25 levels.

In his international career, Chandran took 7 wickets and scored 134 runs in 12 ODIs. He is a medium pacer and a middle-order batsman, and he moved from India to the UAE in 2010.

Also Read: 5 Fastest Test Matches in History

3. Amir Elahi:

Amir Elahi is another cricketer who played Test cricket for both India and Pakistan. He first played for India against Australia in 1947, then represented Pakistan in five Tests during 1952-53, all against India, much to the disappointment of the Indian team management.

In domestic cricket, Elahi had impressive records, especially with Baroda in the Ranji Trophy. As a leg-spin bowler, he took 193 wickets at an average of 24.72 and helped his team win the trophy in the 1946-47 season.

2. Gul Mohammad:

Gul Mohammad played for Northern India in the Ranji Trophy in 1938. He is one of the few cricketers to have represented both India and Pakistan in Test matches. He played eight Tests for India and one Test for Pakistan.

After playing for Pakistan in 1956, he took on different roles in the Pakistan Cricket Board. He made his debut for India in 1946 and became a Pakistani citizen in 1955.

1.Jeet Raval:

Jeet Raval is a star cricketer for New Zealand, but not many know he began his career in India. He played for the Gujarat team at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels. He is a big fan of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and is friends with former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.

In an interview with DNA, Raval shared his experiences in India, saying, “I represented Gujarat at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels. I remember playing with Rahane from Mumbai and Jadeja from Saurashtra. I also played with Ishant Sharma and Piyush Chawla. Parthiv Patel is a good friend who inspired me to work hard.

Also Read: Top 10 players with the most hat-tricks in IPL History