Indian-born U.S. national cricket team player Timil Kaushik Patel became a naturalized American citizen on Tuesday – a move he hopes will help bolster his new country’s team.
The 33-year-old California resident took the oath to naturalize at a ceremony in Los Angeles with nearly 3,800 immigrants from more than 100 countries.
Until now, Patel has been occupying one of three slots on the U.S. national team for short-term residents of the country who are not American citizens.
Becoming an American shores up his standing as a player and helps the national team bring on talented new players before a key tournament in Uganda next month, he said.
