Welcome to Dev's Digest, the regular Sky Sports column where Asian Football Award winner Dev Trehan shares exclusive scoops and offers his take on the most important stories affecting British South Asians in the beautiful game. In a recent exclusive, Sky Sports News reports that officials in charge of Indian football are growing increasingly optimistic that the nation will soon open the door for diaspora talent based in the United Kingdom. At present, the existing eligibility rules require any player of Indian heritage who holds a foreign passport to renounce that passport before they can be called up to the senior side. This restriction has meant that many promising British‑Indian footballers have been unable to earn a cap for India and, consequently, have missed the chance to help the country climb back into the top‑100 of the FIFA world rankings.
According to a senior figure within the All India Football Federation, the policy is about to change. He told Sky Sports News that he is "convinced" the pathway will be cleared for eligible overseas players to represent the Blue Tigers without having to give up their British citizenship. The prospect has generated excitement among coaches, scouts and community leaders who see the diaspora as a potential catalyst for raising the standard of the national team. Former Mumbai City FC chief operating officer Arunava Chaudhuri echoed the sentiment in an exclusive interview: "We are closer than we've ever been to seeing Overseas Citizens of India wearing the Blue Tigers jersey.
The influx of European‑based talent could take the Indian side to a whole new level." Chaudhuri also hinted that this shift could have implications beyond football, noting that India is preparing to host the next Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and is already eyeing a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. A more inclusive approach to player eligibility could therefore bolster the country's broader sporting ambitions.
Sky Sports News has been tracking the aspirations of Indian‑origin British players for more than ten years. In 2014, former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra publicly declared his willingness to play for India, even mentioning that cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar had offered his support. Three years later, Danny Batth – then a new signing for Millwall whose father was born in Punjab – told senior correspondent Rob Dorsett that he would love to represent India at senior level.
The conversation around inclusion is not limited to the national team. West Ham United’s interim chief executive Karim Virani recently spoke at a West Ham United and Inclusive Irons event organized with Desi Ballers to mark South Asian Heritage Month.
While Virani stressed the club’s primary aim of returning to the Premier League after a season in the Championship, he also emphasized West Ham’s commitment to equality, inclusion and creating welcoming environments for all players, whether they are part of the men’s, women’s or academy squads. The event featured club ambassadors Matt Jarvis and Bobby Seagull and highlighted the 2025/26 British South Asians in Football Team of the Season. It underscored how clubs are using their platforms to celebrate diversity and to give visibility to South Asian talent across the English game.
In other news, a consortium led by British‑Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia is reportedly on the brink of securing roughly a one‑third shareholding in Liverpool FC. The group includes high‑profile investors such as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin.
If the deal goes through, the valuation of Liverpool could reach about £4.4 billion ($6 billion), placing it among the most expensive football transactions ever recorded. Sky Sports News has reached out to both Liverpool and the Fenway Sports Group for comment.
Turning back to the Championship, the league’s opening weekend eight years ago delivered one of its most memorable debut stories: Yan Dhanda’s first appearance for Swansea City. The 19‑year‑old entered the match against Sheffield United late in the second half and, after a quick turn of events, found the net.
Dhanda later recalled the surreal feeling of hearing the crowd roar as his father and cousin watched from the stands, describing it as "the best feeling" of his young career. Recent player movements also featured in Dev’s Digest.
Fulham academy prospect Farhaan Ali Wahid has joined National League side Boreham Wood on loan, aiming to gain his first taste of senior football after a prolific season in the Premier League 2 that earned him a nomination for Player of the Season. Meanwhile, Riya Mannu has completed a transfer to West Bromwich Albion Women, and Pakistan international Zahmena Malik has signed for Actonians, both deals revealed exclusively by Sky Sports News. Off the pitch, two South Asian medical professionals have been shortlisted for the Sports Personality of the Year award at the Asian Achievers Awards.
Dr Zaf Iqbal, who contributed to Arsenal’s historic 2020‑21 Premier League triumph and their first Champions League final in two decades, is widely respected for his work at Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, as well as his leadership roles within the Premier League Doctors Group and the FA Medical Society. His colleague, Pakistan international Mariam Mahmood, has enjoyed a breakout year, scoring three goals in her first four caps for Pakistan before moving to Wrexham, where she helped the club secure a league‑cup double and a maiden qualification for European competition.
Finally, a reminder that nominations for the 2026 Asian Football Awards close next week. Fans and industry insiders can submit entries across categories ranging from professional and non‑league football to grassroots initiatives and coaching excellence via the awards website.
For more in‑depth stories, features and video content, visit Sky Sports' dedicated South Asians in Football hub and feel free to get in touch to share your own perspective. And don’t forget to try the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free.