PM Narendra Modi [Source: AFP]Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a massive tribute to the Netherlands cricket team and its players of Indian origin during a community engagement programme held in The Hague. The programme was part of his ongoing five-nation diplomatic tour across Europe and the Middle East. While addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora, Modi highlighted the remarkable contribution of Indian-origin cricketers to Dutch cricket to celebrate the growing sporting bonds between the two nations. Narendra Modi Praises Netherlands Cricket During International TourAs Narendra Modi embarked on his five-nation tour on May 15, covering the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, the trip was primarily designed to strengthen India's strategic partnerships in areas where India is actively deepening its global footprint. While addressing the diaspora gathering, Modi specifically acknowledged the pivotal role played by Indian-origin players in shaping Netherlands cricket on the global stage. "The Indian community has made a major contribution to cricket in the Netherlands. India hosted the T20 World Cup recently and the Netherlands gave a very good account of themselves. India are the T20 World Cup champions, but the Netherlands Cricket Team produced a sublime display against the Men In Blue," Modi said.Modi also singled out young off-spinner Aryan Dutt by name while praising his contributions and efforts in cricket. “When we see youngsters such as Aryan Dutt contributing to cricket, we all feel very good,” PM Modi added.Also Read- Will Mohsin Naqvi Bring Asia Cup Trophy? Fans React To India Arrival In IPL FinalThe Indian Roots In Netherlands Cricket TeamNevertheless, Modi's praise was well-founded, as the Netherlands cricket team has been quietly transformed in recent years by a generation of players with deep Indian roots. Aryan Dutt, the off-spinner Modi name-checked, was born in The Hague to parents who immigrated from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. Vikramjit Singh, a left-handed opening batter originally from Chima Khurd in Punjab, moved to the Netherlands with his family and rose into the Dutch senior setup at just 16 years of age. Anil Teja, a middle-order batter from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, also took a more unlikely route to Dutch colours and forced his way into the national team with solid performances. Netherlands And Their Cricket World Cup CampaignsAll of these efforts were not enough for the T20 World Cup 2026, the Netherlands' recent T20 World Cup team reflected a side punching above its weight with increasing regularity. Although their absolute peak arrived during the 2022 World Cup, they failed miserably in 2026. Their 2024 campaign featured a memorable clash against India, which Modi also referenced during his speech. The Netherlands pushed India hard and showed the kind of competitive spirit that has become their trademark in global tournaments. Modi On Hockey World CupYet, Modi was not limiting his speech to the cricketing community itself, as he also praised the Netherlands' contribution to Indian hockey, while specifically acknowledging the transformative impact of the Dutch head coach on the Indian women's hockey team. "In hockey, the Netherlands also have a big contribution. Dutch coaches have reshaped Indian hockey's future in recent times. India's women's hockey team has performed splendidly over the years, and head coach Sjoerd Marijne has played a pivotal role in this," Modi said during his speech.Looking ahead, Modi urged the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands to attend the upcoming Hockey World Cup, which the Netherlands will host, and wished for warmer and better coordination between the two nations for a mightier and stronger bond. Also Read- 2024 Déjà Vu In Litton Das' Bat As Bangladesh Crisis Man Resurrects BAN vs PAK Test
