Jaspreet Singh’s story does not begin in a grand stadium or under bright floodlights. It begins in the lanes of Phagwara, Punjab, where cricket was played with whatever was available, and dreams were stitched together in village games.

Twenty-two years ago, his life shifted continents when his family moved to Bergamo in northern Italy. Cricket, however, did not travel as easily. In a country where football ruled and cricket barely existed on the surface, Jaspreet had to find his way back to the sport slowly, almost patiently.

That search has now brought him to Italy’s first-ever T20 World Cup campaign in 2026, a historic moment for the Gli Azzurri. Jaspreet, now 32, is part of that squad, even if his own World Cup debut will have to wait. He was left out of Italy’s playing XI for their opening match against Scotland at Eden Gardens, where Italy were outplayed in a 73-run defeat.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Jaspreet summed up what this journey has meant to him.

“Reaching this stage is a matter of great pride. Anyone who plays cricket has a dream from childhood to represent their country and play at the highest level.”

What was Jaspreet Singh’s early career like?
Growing up, Jaspreet’s cricket education was informal, built more on imagination than coaching manuals. He recalled how he experimented endlessly in village matches, trying everything from spin bowling to batting, often copying the stars he watched on television.

He would imitate bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath, long before he ever pictured himself becoming a medium pacer.

The move to Italy meant cricket was not always accessible. Jaspreet admitted that in the early years, the sport was barely present around him.

“I always loved cricket, but when I went to Italy, cricket was not really there. So I started playing football.”

It was only later, through community connections, that cricket returned to his life, first in the form of tennis-ball games, and then something more organised.

How did Jaspreet Singh become anItaliany player?
Jaspreet enrolled at the local Bergamo Cricket Club, a modest setup, while also completing a two-year electrician course to support his father’s work. Cricket, at that stage, remained a passion running alongside the responsibilities of everyday life.

The turning point came through Indian expats he met at the local gurudwara, who pushed him to chase better opportunities. They suggested England, where turf wickets and structured club cricket could sharpen his skills.

That move came with its own grind. Jaspreet worked as an Uber driver in Birmingham to meet expenses, balancing cricket dreams with daily survival.

“I come from a middle-class background. Later, when I found out Italy has a national team and qualifiers, I decided I should work hard and represent this country.”

His breakthrough arrived in 2018, when he played his first qualifier in the Netherlands. A standout performance against Jersey, where he was named Man of the Match, helped cement his place in Italy’s setup.

Who inspired Jaspreet Singh’s cricket journey?
Like most kids who grow up with Indian cricket on television, Jaspreet’s inspirations were plenty. Dhoni, Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, the list, he admitted, is endless.

But one name stood out early. Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly.

“When we were kids, all our friends used to choose one batsman to follow. I chose Ganguly. Some chose Sachin. Sourav Ganguly was the first batsman who truly inspired me.”

That connection feels fitting, given Jaspreet is now living his World Cup dream in Kolkata, Ganguly’s city, wearing Italy’s colours on a stage he once only watched from afar.

For Jaspreet, Italy’s qualification is not just a sporting milestone; it is an emotional one.

“The feeling is something that cannot really be expressed in words. When we qualified, it was a dream for all of us.”

Italy may still be finding its feet in World Cups, but players like Jaspreet embody what associate cricket is built on: late starts, long detours, and relentless hope.

From Phagwara to Bergamo, from Uber rides in England to the World Cup spotlight, Jaspreet Singh’s Italian tale is still being written.