‘Whether you play for India or the UAE, it feels the same’ - Harpreet Bhatia reflects on his switch to international cricket

Left-handed batter Harpreet Bhatia, one of the first cricketers to be granted UAE citizenship, says the feeling of representing a nation is equal whether the jersey reads India or the UAE. The 34-year-old made his international debut for the UAE during a tour of Nepal in April 2026, after more than 17 years in Indian domestic cricket.

Bhatia had been one of the most consistent performers on the Indian domestic circuit, holding the record as the all-time top scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 2,968 runs in 100 matches. He also spent seven years across four IPL franchises, yet the national call never arrived. A UAE citizenship pathway eventually opened a new door for the experienced batter.

“My father wanted to play, my brother wanted to play. My brother was a better cricketer than me, but I was the one from my family who got the chance. All my family wanted me to play cricket for India. Unfortunately, I haven’t. But I played all the leagues and the top level of Indian cricket. All that was missing was representing the nation. I have got the opportunity here, and I am playing for UAE now,” Bhatia said on The National.

A call from UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput proved to be the turning point.

“When I was in Nepal standing for the national anthem, it was something special. Whether you play for India, or the UAE, it feels the same,” Bhatia added.

The years Bhatia spent in the IPL have shaped how he approaches the game at the international level.

“I have shared the dressing room with so many big cricketers – Virat [Kohli], AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle. You can learn from their body language, the way they speak, the way they walk, the way they think. You take those small things and try to build them into your game,” Bhatia said.

The Gulf side have 12 matches remaining in Cricket World Cup League Two as they push to qualify for the next global tournament. Bhatia turns 35 on Tuesday, August 11, the same day the Emiratis face Canada in their final match of the competition in Scotland.