Param Uppal, an Indian born Australian cricketer to play in U-19 World Cup

Australia and New Zealand had a lot of migrated players from various countries before. Some play the first class cricket, some make it big in international cricket as well. Indian origin cricketers in Australia is not a new thing now. There have been players born in India who has donned the Australian jersey before.

That said, another Indian born cricketer in Australia is set to do the same. Param Uppal, a Chandigarh born Australian cricketer was named in the Australian U-19 squad for the upcoming U-19 world cup in New Zealand. This news came as a sweet shock for his relatives in Mohali as the celebrations began. This is not the first time that an Indian has been named in the Australian squad.

Relatives in Mohali celebrates

Param Uppal’s inclusion saw his relatives celebrate in Mohali. Param’s father Devinder Singh Uppal migrated from Mohali to Australia in 2003. Param’s uncle who still stays in India had a chat with the Indian Express. He said that his family was always into sports when they were young and Paran’s inclusion is the best news they have heard in a while. He also promised to watch him in New Zealand.

“I and my brother Devinder also played hockey for our school Kendriya Vidyalaya-47 and Devinder played cricket for Panjab University, too, before shifting to Australia. Param’s inclusion in the U-19 Australian cricket team for the World Cup is the biggest news for us and we are eager to see him play. We surely plan to watch him play in New Zealand and will be cheering for him,” said Param’s uncle Bhupinder.

Bhupinder also revealed that Param’s grandfather always encouraged sports and wanted everyone to take up sports alongside studies. He said, “Param was born at Sector 32 GMCH, Chandigarh, and our father Harbhajan Singh, who retired as warrant officer from the Indian Air Force, always wanted all the children to pursue sports along with studies.”

His cousin’s Karan and Jashan Uppal were ecstatic over his selection. Jashan said that Param has been attending various camps and is always practicing with the first team of Australia. He sent him some pictures with Steve Smith, who happens to be a favorite of both.

He said, “Param has been so busy in the last six months that we have not talked over the phone. Param attended a training camp in Brisbane earlier and we followed his performance in the U-19 championships on the internet. He keeps sending us pictures of him training with Steve Smith, who is my favorite cricketer, too.”