Danny Batth hoping to become the next British-Indian Premier League star

The English Premier League has been in existence for more than 30 years now, but still, only a handful of players with Indian heritage have plied their trade on the big stage.

Robert Rosario was the first British-Indian and the first player of British-Asian heritage to play in the EPL—he made his debut in the inaugural 1992/93 season. It would be more than a decade before Michael Chopra of Newcastle United became the second Premier League star with an Indian heritage.

Danny Batth could be the next, with his Blackburn Rovers side fighting in the Championship table for a playoff spot. The defender, of English and Indian Punjabi descent, has been a key figure in the Lancashire club’s rise in the 2024/25 season. He’s the highest-ranked British-Indian currently playing professional soccer in Britain.

A Case for the Defence

There are other British-Indians currently plying their trade in the domestic game.

A stylish left-back, Mal Benning has been a key figure for Shrewsbury Town so far during the 2024/25 season. However, with the Shrews currently struggling at the wrong end of the league table, the League 1 odds make them -250 second-favourites to suffer relegation.

Those placing a football bet are also downbeat on the chances of Yan Dhanda’s Hearts, who – at the time of writing at least – have been cast adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Dhanda, a creative midfielder, has spoken of his desire to represent the Indian national team one day. To do so, you suspect that he will need to play for a more successful club side than Hearts currently is.

So, in terms of level, Danny Batth is far and away the most recognized British-Indian in UK football right now. He has been an integral player for Blackburn so far this season, who, after nine rounds of games, find themselves just one point outside of the play-off places.

The 34-year-old has missed a few games with injury, but when he’s been fit Batth has thrived under the coaching of John Eustace: against QPR at the end of September, the defender notched a rare goal and was handed the Man of the Match award for his stellar display.

Even as he enters the autumn of his career, Batth continues to deliver a high level of performance.

📰 Report: #Rovers 2-0 Queens Park RangersGoals from Lewis Travis and Danny Batth see us earn a fourth successive home win in the Sky Bet Championship!#ROVvQPR 🔵⚪️https://t.co/tSaY8yXbW3

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) September 28, 2024

International Regret

Although Batth can look back on his career with fondness, there’s something that will perhaps always eat away at him: he never got the chance to represent India internationally.

Born in England, Batth qualifies for India through his Punjab father. He holds the Overseas Citizenship of India accreditation, however strict residential rules have prevented him from turning out for the country, as he would have to move to the country and gain a full passport.

“I would love the opportunity to be available for selection,” Batth has commented. “It would make all my family, friends and team-mates very proud.”

And given how well he is still playing, there’s a chance that the door to international football will remain open for Danny Batth for the foreseeable future.

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