Ludhiana Lad Shines for UAE: Simranjeet Singh's Inspiring Cricket Odyssey

In September 2025, Simranjeet Singh, a 35-year-old left-arm spinner from the UAE, is set to face India in a crucial Asia Cup match. However, his journey to this point has been anything but straightforward.

Simranjeet, who hails from Ludhiana, Punjab, recalls fondly his encounters with a young Shubman Gill over a decade ago. Back in 2011-12, when Gill was just 11 or 12 years old, Simranjeet would often bowl to him at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) nets in Mohali. "I had bowled a lot to Shubman during those days," Simranjeet reminisces.

Simranjeet's own cricketing career has taken many twists and turns. He had made it to the Ranji Trophy probables in 2017 but was unable to break through to the Indian team. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 proved to be a turning point, as Simranjeet found himself stranded in Dubai and unable to return to India for months. This led him to explore opportunities with the UAE national team, and after fulfilling the required criteria, he was selected to represent the country.

Now, Simranjeet is a key member of the UAE squad, having taken 15 wickets in 12 T20Is with an economy rate of less than six. The left-arm spinner is known for his ability to "buy wickets with flight," according to UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput.

Simranjeet, a devout Sikh, says that the UAE has given him the freedom to practice his religion without any issues. "This is a great country. Had I faced any problem, I wouldn't have represented UAE. My religion is respected. No one has questioned my beard or my kara, why I keep a kirpan," he explains.

As Simranjeet prepares to face India, he acknowledges the tough decision his family will have to make in terms of which team to support. "The dream was to play for India but now that I am playing for UAE, I think they will support UAE," he chuckles.