Tamil Nadu (Commonwealth Union) – India’s national football team has long been in pursuit of recognition on the international stage. However, despite the country’s growing football culture, the team currently sits at a modest 126th place in the FIFA World Rankings. The nation has seen a surge in local football enthusiasm, yet the national team has struggled to achieve notable success in international competitions. In an effort to strengthen the squad, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has turned its focus to Indian-origin players born abroad but with ancestral roots in India.
Many of these players hold an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card, which allows them to work and reside freely in India. However, the debate about whether these players should be permitted to represent India in international matches remains contentious. India’s eligibility rules, which prevent players from holding dual citizenship, have left many eligible Indian-origin players sidelined from wearing the national jersey. Recently, the controversy has been reignited following Bangladesh’s successful recruitment of Premier League star Hamza Choudhury to their squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification match. This move has sparked calls for the inclusion of OCI players in the Indian national team, and many players stand out as potential candidates. Here’s a closer look at these players.
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Danny Batth
Danny Batth, an English footballer who plays for EFL Championship club Blackburn Rovers, has been striving to represent India for several years. Batth, who holds an OCI card through his father, has sought to join the national team since 2017, but his repeated applications for dual citizenship have been denied. Batth’s career in England includes significant contributions to Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League. Despite his efforts, he remains excluded from playing for India, a situation he has described as a shame, especially considering the passionate football fanbase in India. “It’s the only country in the world where they don’t like players from different countries coming back to play and represent them,” Batth remarked.
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Triman Ranvir
Belgium-born Triman Ranvir is a forward who has represented clubs in Belgium, Finland, and India, with a brief spell at Minerva Punjab. Ranvir is eligible to represent India through both of his parents and has received significant support from Indian fans after his visit to the country. “I have got much love in India, and after my tour in India, I have started receiving more love from Indian people,” Ranvir noted, highlighting the deep connection he feels with the country. Currently playing for the Belgian amateur club K. Berchem, Ranvir’s future with India could be bright if he is allowed to play for the national team.
Manprit Sarkaria
Manprit Sarkaria, 28, made a one-time appearance for the Austrian national team in 2023. If he switches allegiances, it would likely require approval from FIFA’s Player Status Committee. However, since his appearance was in a qualifier, not a tournament, the process might be smoother. Sarkaria’s potential move to play for India is exciting, especially considering his impressive career. He has made 139 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga, scoring 36 goals and providing 28 assists. He won the league title in 2023-2024, the national cup in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, and was named to the league’s Team of the Year in 2021-2022.
Yan Dhanda
Yan Dhanda, a 26-year-old midfielder for Hearts of Midlothian in Scotland, is another player eager to play for India. Born in England, Dhanda qualifies to represent India through his father. The talented midfielder had a promising start at Swansea City before moving to Scotland. Despite holding an OCI card, Dhanda has been rejected by the AIFF due to his lack of an Indian passport, which complicates his eligibility under FIFA’s regulations. Dhanda has been vocal about his desire to play for India and recently revealed that his interest has been met with support from his current manager. “He’s desperate for me to play, but at the moment, we’re still waiting for the government to change their rules,” Dhanda shared in December.
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Omid Singh
Iranian-born Omid Singh is a seasoned professional with over 100 appearances in Iran’s top-flight football leagues. Despite being capped by Iran at youth levels, Singh has expressed his desire to play for India, citing a deep connection to the country through his father. Former Indian head coach Igor Stimac reached out to Singh in 2022 about the possibility of representing India, and Singh confirmed his intent to switch allegiances. “My heart is with India, with the Indian people, and I would love to represent the country,” Singh stated. However, as of now, he has not made his senior debut for India.
Dilan Markanday
Dilan Markanday, a 23-year-old midfielder from Barnet, England, is another potential Indian recruit. Markanday has played for clubs in both England’s EFL Championship and Scotland’s top flight and is currently with Leyton Orient in League One. Although Markanday has yet to publicly commit to playing for India, the possibility remains open, especially given that he has not yet been selected for England’s senior team. If he continues to be overlooked by the England setup, India may become an attractive option for the talented midfielder.
The Growing Debate
As the debate over OCI players representing India intensifies, it is clear that the inclusion of such players could bolster India’s football prospects. The recent attention around the India-Bangladesh match result and players like Dhanda and Batth expressing interest on social media has only added fuel to the fire. While AIFF and government policies currently restrict dual citizenship, the growing calls for reform suggest that the rules may evolve in the future. In light of these developments, India’s football future may well be shaped by the inclusion of these talented Indian-origin players. Whether these players will get the chance to wear the blue jersey and make a significant impact remains to be seen, but the possibility alone has stirred excitement among Indian football fans.
