California

Indian-born US cricket player becomes American citizen

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Indian-born U.S. national cricket team player Timil Kaushik Patel, center, takes an oath as a naturalized U.S. citizen at a ceremony in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 18, 2017. His wife Pooja Patel is seated, left. Patel says becoming an American will help bring new players onto the team since there's only three spots allowed for non-citizen residents. (AP Photo/Amy Taxin) (The Associated Press)

Indian-born U.S. national cricket team player Timil Kaushik Patel, center, takes an oath as a naturalized U.S. citizen at a ceremony in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 18, 2017. His wife Pooja Patel is seated, left. Patel says becoming an American will help bring new players onto the team since there's only three spots allowed for non-citizen residents. (AP Photo/Amy Taxin) (The Associated Press)

Indian-born U.S. national cricket team player Timil Kaushik Patel has become a naturalized American citizen.

The 33-year-old California resident took the oath to naturalize Tuesday at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Patel has been playing for the U.S. national team, occupying one of three slots for residents of the country who are not American citizens.

He says becoming an American shores up his standing as a player and helps the U.S. team bring on new players before a key tournament next month in Uganda.

Patel moved to the U.S. from India seven years ago with his family. He also plays cricket for the St. Lucia Stars and has a medical transport business in California.