India's World Cup Wins: The Malayali and Sikh Connection

Mar 9, 2026

70 min

Mar 9, 2026 11:31

If India want to win a cricket World Cup, pick a Malayali and a Sardar

## A Curious Pattern in Indian Cricket

Indian cricket fans have noticed a peculiar trend in the country's World Cup victories. Since the 1983 ODI World Cup, every winning Indian squad has included at least one player of Malayali descent and one Sikh player. This pattern, while not scientifically proven to influence outcomes, has become a talking point among fans.

## Historical Wins and Key Players

The trend began with the 1983 World Cup team, which featured Sunil Valson, a Malayali, and Balwinder Sandhu, a Sikh. In subsequent victories, such as the 2007 T20 World Cup, players like S Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh continued this pattern. The 2011 ODI World Cup also saw Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh in the squad.

## Recent Triumphs

In the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups, Sanju Samson and Arshdeep Singh represented the Malayali and Sikh communities, respectively. Samson, in particular, had a standout performance in 2026, earning the Player of the Tournament title with 321 runs at an average of 80.25. His crucial innings in the final helped India secure a significant victory over New Zealand.

## The Role of Superstition

While the presence of Malayali and Sikh players in winning squads might be coincidental, it has become a fun superstition for fans. The debate over whether players from all regions receive equal opportunities continues, but this pattern remains a notable aspect of India's cricketing history.

Read the full story at the source

What you need to know to get Emirates ID?

Leave your details and get a guide as a gift to avoid mistakes

Article contents