Internet Desk: Indian football might get their best Indian origin player ever to wear the national team colours as famous English club Wolverhampton Wanderers’ central defender Danny Batth, who is by birth from Punjab, has shown his intention of playing for the Indian National Team in the future. Danny, whose father belongs to Punjab, came for a visit to India yesterday as he has every possibility of playing for India under coach Stephen Constantine.
According to sources, the Wolves captain wants to represent Indian national team even if he has to swap his British passport. It is learnt that Danny is clear about his ambitions and representing India is one of them. He is even ready to swap his British passport for an Indian one, but the citizenship regulations in India could make things a bit complicated.
Issues with dual citizenship have always been a serious concern as far as playing for the Blue Tigers is concerned. An Indian-origin footballer playing abroad has to surrender his foreign passport and stay in India for 12 months to apply for Indian citizenship. Only Indian citizens can play for the Indian national team.
Batth saw his Wolves side finish 15th in the recently concluded 2016–17 Championship campaign. The 26 years old made 39 appearances out of his club’s 46 league games. He played an intrumental role to keep eight clean sheets for his club. He also scored four league goals and played the full ninety minutes of a fifth round FA Cup tie against Chelsea which Wolves lost 2–0.
The central defender has been one of the most consistent Championship performers over the past few seasons, even attracting interest from Premier League’s Aston Villa in 2014. Batth was in the Wolves squad when the club were in the Premier League from 2009–10 to 2011–12 but didn’t make a single appearance in English football’s top flight. However, he has played in 17 FA Cup and League Cup matches so far in his career.
Batth’s mixed English and Sikh Punjabi descent makes him eligible to represent England and India in international football. Given the disregard for lower league players by the England senior team setup, it is unlikely Batth will make his England bow anytime soon.
That being said, India has kept its door open for the Wolves fan favourite, and his meet-up with Constantine could make for a step in the right direction as far a Batth playing for India is concerned. Having players of the pedigree of Batth will not only boost the level of the Indian national team, but also add some much needed foreign experience which the defender has in spades.