New Delhi: In a strange turn of events, Uttar Pradesh cricketer Tanmay Srivastava, who once rubbed shoulders with Virat Kohli as his teammate 16 years ago, will don the umpiring hat in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a competition which has played a crucial role in the Indian star’s cricketing journey. Tanmay, who played with Kohli, during India’s victorious 2008 ICC U19 World Cup campaign, is set to make his umpiring debut in IPL 2025.
While Kohli has gone on to become one of the greatest batters of all time, Tanmay’s playing career didn’t pan according to his plans. After his U19 final heroics in 2008, when he top-scored for India with 46, he earned a contract with Punjab Kings but the left-handed batter failed to cash in on the opportunity.
After failing to live up to his potential, Tanmay retired from cricket at the age of 30 while he was the captain of the Uttarakhand team. He previously represented his home state Uttar Pradesh and after two stints with two different states, chose a different path in cricket.
As per a report in the Times of India, Tanmay, now 35, has landed an umpiring job in the IPL.
“I understood that was the best player I could be,” Srivastava told TOI. “I was nowhere close to playing the IPL. I had to decide if I wanted to prolong life as a player or have a longer successful second innings.”
Though it is understood that Tanmay hasn’t been given the responsibility of performing an on-field role, he remains hopeful of finding his new calling soon.
A true player never leaves the field—just changes the game.
Wishing Tanmay Srivastava the best as he dons a new hat with the same passion!#UPCA #IPL #UP #PrideOfUP pic.twitter.com/wrRoW31OG2— UPCA (@UPCACricket) March 17, 2025
Tanmay’s journey from a cricketer to umpire
Tanmay is still in touch with Virat, his teammate at the 2008 U-19 World Cup, a tournament India won under the leadership of Mohd. Kaif.
“I am still in touch with Virat, but I had to decide for myself and have a practical outlook,” he revealed.
Tanmay also revealed that he spoke to Rajiv Shukla, the BCCI vice president and member of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) about his future and decided to Level 2 course in coaching in NCA and focus on umpiring.
Tanmay studied for umpiring exams while also juggling different cricketing jobs, including that of a talent scout for RCB and a coach at the National Cricket Academy.
Tanmay Srivastava represented his home state Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in Indian domestic cricket but after two stints with two different states, chose a different path in cricket. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
