Jaspreet Singh, a 32-year-old cricketer born in Phagwara, Punjab, India, is set to represent Italy in the 2026 T20 World Cup, marking a remarkable turn in his life. His journey, which began in the small town of Phagwara, has taken him through driving an Uber in England to now playing cricket on the international stage for Italy. Singh's story is one of perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of a childhood dream.
In 2006, Jaspreet Singh moved with his family to a town near Milan, Italy. Adjusting to a new country and culture, he found solace in cricket, initially playing tape-ball cricket. His passion for the sport led him to join the Bergamo Cricket Club, about 40 minutes from his home in Telgate. Despite limited facilities, he honed his skills with help from Indian expats. To support himself and his family, Jaspreet also completed a two-year electrician course, assisting his father.
Singh's talent and dedication soon became evident, and he began participating in competitions organized by the Italian Cricket Federation. His performances from the 2016-17 season propelled him into the international arena, making his debut for the Italian national team in 2019. In May 2019, he was selected for Italy's squad for the Regional Finals of the ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier tournament. He officially made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut against Norway on June 15, 2019. In November 2019, he was named in Italy's squad for the Cricket World Cup Challenge League B tournament in Oman and debuted in List A against Bermuda on December 12, 2019.
To further his cricket career, Jaspreet moved to Birmingham, England, where he trained and played in the Birmingham District Premier League. He had to give up his job as an Uber driver to fully commit to his training.
July 11, marked a significant moment in Italian cricket history with Jaspreet Singh at the center. He bowled the last ball of the T20 World Cup Europe qualifier against the Netherlands, which secured Italy's first-ever qualification for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, despite losing the match.
Singh was born on June 9, 1993. As of his last T20I match against Ireland on January 26, 2026, he has played 27 T20I matches, scored 68 runs with a highest score of 21, and taken 23 wickets with a best bowling performance of 4/9.
Jaspreet Singh's journey embodies the spirit of the global South Asian diaspora in cricket. Italy's T20 World Cup team features players with diverse backgrounds, united by their passion for the game. Singh's story resonates with many other cricketers of Indian origin who are representing different nations in the tournament. He expressed his feelings stating that playing in India, where his journey began, is special, and fulfilling his childhood dream of playing on international grounds.