Canada’s ‘Mini India’ Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: 11 Indian-Origin Players Set to Dominate the Global Stage
In a historic announcement on January 14, 2026, Cricket Canada revealed its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The squad has become the talk of the cricketing world, as it features a staggering 11 players of Indian origin. This “Mini India” lineup highlights the deep influence of the Indian diaspora on the growth of cricket in North America. Led by a young captain from Punjab and featuring a dynamic all-rounder from Vadodara, Canada is poised to be a “dark horse” in the tournament.
A New Era: 22-Year-Old Dilpreet Bajwa Named Captain
The most significant change in the Canadian camp is the appointment of Dilpreet Bajwa as the new captain. At just 22 years old, the Gurdaspur-born cricketer is one of the youngest captains in T20 World Cup history.
- The Background: Bajwa migrated to Canada in 2020 after facing multiple rejections in the Punjab domestic circuit.
- The Record: He has already made a mark with four T20I half-centuries and a strike rate exceeding 133.
- The Mission: Speaking on his appointment, Bajwa expressed his determination to prove his mettle on Indian soil, where the group matches will be played.
Vadodara’s Pride: Ansh Patel Brings IPL Experience
For fans in Gujarat, the inclusion of Ansh Patel is a moment of immense pride. Born in Vadodara, the 23-year-old left-arm wrist spinner has a unique resume that includes being part of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) squad in the IPL.
- Global Exposure: Ansh’s experience sharing dressing rooms with world-class international stars in the IPL provides Canada with much-needed tactical depth.
- Impact Player: As an all-rounder who can turn the ball sharply and contribute with the bat, Ansh is expected to be a vital “X-factor” on the spin-friendly tracks of India and Sri Lanka.
The 11 Stars of Indian Descent: A Full Squad Breakdown
The dominance of Indian-origin talent in the Canadian squad is unprecedented. Here are the 11 players carrying their Indian heritage onto the world stage:
| Player Name | Role | Origin / Connection |
| Dilpreet Bajwa (C) | All-rounder | Punjab (Gurdaspur) |
| Ansh Patel | Left-arm Wrist Spin | Gujarat (Vadodara) |
| Navneet Dhaliwal | Top-order Batter | Punjab |
| Harsh Thaker | All-rounder | Indian-origin |
| Shreyas Movva | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Indian-origin |
| Jaskarandeep Buttar | Bowler | Punjab |
| Kanwarpal Tathgur | Batter | Indian-origin |
| Ravinderpal Singh | Middle-order Batter | Punjab |
| Yuvraj Samra | Opening Batter | Indian-origin |
| Shivam Sharma | Spinner | Indian-origin |
| Ajayveer Hundal | All-rounder | Indian-origin |
The remaining slots are filled by players of Pakistani and Caribbean descent, making Canada one of the most culturally diverse teams in the competition.
Canada’s Group D Challenge: Playing on Indian Soil
Canada has been placed in Group D, which is widely considered one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Interestingly, all of Canada’s group-stage matches will be played in India, making it a “homecoming” of sorts for the majority of the squad.
- Group Opponents: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the UAE.
- Opening Match: Canada vs South Africa on February 9, 2026, in Ahmedabad.
Returning to Ahmedabad—a city that breathes cricket—will be an emotional and high-pressure moment for players like Ansh Patel and Dilpreet Bajwa.
Conclusion: From Rejection to Global Representation
The story of the Canadian T20 World Cup squad is one of resilience. Many of these players, like the captain himself, moved across the world to pursue a dream that seemed out of reach in the highly competitive Indian system. Today, they represent the growing globalization of the sport. Whether Canada can pull off an upset against giants like South Africa or New Zealand remains to be seen, but their “Mini India” identity has already won them thousands of fans across the subcontinent.
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