India's Political Ally Dials BCCI's Number For Nepal, Afghanistan-Like Growth In Cricket

India's political ally seeks help from BCCI [Source: AFP]

Israel’s cricket story is explicitly written by migrants from India, South Africa and Sri Lanka who carried the game with them. For years, it remained a quiet pastime for workers and expatriates. 

The sport’s return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has changed the calculation, though. Israel now targets qualification for the 2032 Brisbane Games and is turning to Indian cricket’s financial and technical might. 

The Israeli Cricket Association is now seeking the same kind of support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India that propelled Nepal and Afghanistan up the global ladder.

Israel Cricket Seeks Help From BCCI

Israel’s cricket ecosystem operates with minimal dedicated infrastructure. Most players are labourers during the day who train on grounds that fall well short of international standards. 

The association estimates roughly 12 clubs and 18 teams, including women’s sides built around Sri Lankan workers. Yet the Olympic window has injected purpose.

“India, as the holy grail of cricket, has a huge role to play through the BCCI. The board has already supported countries like Nepal and Afghanistan, and we're hoping it can do something similar for Israel,” Yuval Viner, Business and Strategic Manager of the Israeli Cricket Association, told Hindustan Times. 

“Given the relationship between India and Israel, we want to build a bridge that brings Indian cricket closer to our country. The BCCI is the best partner we could ask for because it has shown a genuine commitment to helping emerging cricket nations grow,” Yuval added.

Viner pointed to Nepal’s rapid rise as the template. “Four or five years ago, they weren't where they are today. Now they've made remarkable progress. We are still a long way from that level, and that’s the path we want to follow.”

Israel’s advisory board already includes former India cricketer and Mumbai captain Nilesh Kulkarni. The association believes formal BCCI backing would accelerate ground development, coaching education and competitive exposure.

Israel Asks Former Players To Help

Beyond institutional partnerships, Israel is actively courting experienced cricketers who can strengthen the national set-up. As per the association, those willing to relocate and don the blue-and-white are welcome.

“Former players who have the needs and willingness to go to Israel and play for Israel — it's more than welcome. We are trying, as well, to find Jewish players that will come and make Aliyah,” Viner said.

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How BCCI Helped Nepal Cricket Grow?

The BCCI’s engagement with the Cricket Association of Nepal offers a precise blueprint of what Israel is requesting. India’s assistance has been structured around three pillars.

High-performance training sits at the core. Nepal’s senior men’s team has been hosted for weeks-long conditioning and practice camps at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru ahead of major ICC tournaments. 

Competitive exposure has been ensured through a warm-up series against Indian state sides. The BCCI coordinates with state associations, including the Delhi and District Cricket Association, to arrange matches for Nepal’s senior, ‘A’ and under-19 teams. 

This handshake model has given Nepal a launchpad without requiring massive upfront domestic investment. Nepal’s rise from obscurity to regular World Cup qualification conversations traces directly to this sustained, behind-the-scenes support.

The Political Tie Between India and Israel And The Possible Harmonious Cricketing Relationship

The backdrop to Israel’s appeal is the strongest-ever political alignment between the two nations. In 2026, the relationship was officially upgraded to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile state visit to Israel in February. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since proposed a “hexagon of alliances,” a regional framework placing India at its strategic and geographical centre alongside partners such as Greece and Cyprus. Publicly, Netanyahu has pushed back against narratives of limited alliances, citing the tremendous, powerful support India now provides.

This widening trust creates a natural opening for sports diplomacy. The partnership, which already spans defence, agriculture and technology, can logically extend to cricket, especially given the sport's Olympic stakes and the cultural bridge of a large Indian diaspora. 

Israel Cricket is dialling a number that, given the geopolitical warmth and the BCCI’s track record with Nepal and Afghanistan, may well be answered.

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