Indian cricketer straightaway bowled to Tendulkar without any Experience; only player to take 2-ball hat-trick
Indian cricket has no shortage of talent, often showcasing inspiring stories of players overcoming adversity. One such story is that of Pravin Tambe, a leg-spinner who made headlines by debuting in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the age of 41. Before his IPL career, Tambe toiled for years as a club cricketer in Mumbai, waiting for his big break. His patience paid off when he was picked by Rajasthan Royals in 2013, despite having never played a competitive first-class match.
In his IPL career, Tambe played 33 matches, taking 28 wickets with a best performance of 4/20. He also became the leading wicket-taker in the Champions League T20 that same year, claiming 12 wickets at an astonishing average of 6.50. This performance earned him a call-up to the Mumbai Ranji team, where he made his first-class debut against Odisha.
Tambe’s most memorable moment came during IPL 2014 when he took three wickets in consecutive balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, achieving a two-ball hat-trick. Notably, he was also the first Indian cricketer to secure a contract in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) but had to retire from Indian cricket to participate in the tournament. His journey exemplifies resilience and dedication in the face of fierce competition.