From driving cabs to living a T20 World Cup: Jaspreet Singh's Italian tale

T20 World Cup: From Bergamo's modest club grounds to Eden Gardens' World Cup lights, Jaspreet Singh's journey captures Italy's unlikely cricket rise. An electrician by training and former Uber driver, he now lives the associate dream.

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.”

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.