In terms of global popularity, cricket is second only to soccer with around 2.5 billion fans following the game. Originated in England during the 16th century, the sport soon caught the attention of the rest of the world – most notably the Indian subcontinent, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Caribbean island.
However, cricket never really spread its wings in the United States. The main reason behind that is it always faced tough competition with baseball, which is practically a national sport. Nonetheless, the Asian Diaspora and the West Indian immigrants have kept the game alive in the country.
In 2018, the USA men's team was elevated to Division Two of the World Cricket League for the first time. A year later, the United States qualified for the inaugural season of its replacement, the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, whose top teams will move on to the qualifier for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
In December 2021, the United States hosted Ireland in a white-ball series, marking the country's first-ever home series against a Test-playing nation. While the two-match T20I series was shared 1-1, the two ODIs got abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, USA cricket is set to receive a major boost as one T20 team from the country will set foot in India for the first time, taking part in the upcoming Global Power Cricket League (GPCL), due to be held in Delhi from October 2 to October 9.
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The team, known as American Indigos, is one of the eight sides competing in the tournament, which will be full of marquee international cricketers.
Former West Indies cricketer Narsingh Deonarine, who has the experience of 18 Tests, 31 ODIs and 8 T20Is, will lead American Indigos in the GPCL – the competition aiming to take cricket global so that the Asian Diaspora population, addicted to this sport, residing outside of their nation can watch the game live in their country of stay. After the inaugural season in India, the tournament will move to Middle East, USA, Canada, UK, and South Africa.
American Indigos’ squad includes the Gujarat-born Timil Patel, who has represented USA in 7 ODIs and as many T20Is so far. The 13-member squad also features Mrunal Patel, Mario Rampersaud, Akshay Homraj, Anirudh Immanuel, Skanda Rohit Sharma, Ruchir Joshi, Karan Chandel, Suneel Kumar Sunny, Bhaskar Ahuja, Raahil Amarshi Krishna, Rahul Mishra.
American Indigos Squad: Narsingh Deonarine (c), Timil Patel, Mrunal Patel, Mario Rampersaud, Akshay Homraj, Anirudh Immanuel, Skanda Rohit Sharma, Ruchir Joshi, Karan Chandel, Suneel Kumar Sunny, Bhaskar Ahuja, Raahil Amarshi Krishna, Rahul Mishra.
