Numerous players of the Indian-origin have been playing from England, West Indies, New Zealand, and Kenyan teams. Australia, too, is not far behind. Nevertheless, Australia’s rivalry with India is well known, but to strengthen the team, they are not averse towards the idea of adding a player from any country to their team. The latest case relates to an India-origin player, Tanveer Sangha, selected for the series of five T20I matches for the New Zealand tour. The young Tanveer Sangha is a leg-break bowler.
At the age of just 19, a large section of Australia began to consider him as the successor of Shane Warne and Stuart McGill. Tanveer`s family settled in Sydney in 1997. Joga Singh, Sangha’s father, drove a taxi on the streets of Sydney while his mother worked as an accountant. Amid these trying circumstances, Tanveer Sangha, in his childhood, wanted to become a volleyball player. He used to be immersed in the game throughout the day, but gradually his interest shifted towards cricket.
In between, he got a chance to come to India with his family. With Tanveer further improving the art of bowling, which benefitted him greatly in being selected for the age group tournaments in Australia, he became a well-known face in Australia from the Age Group tournaments. He was selected in the under 19 World Cup, but he could not perform there in the way he is known for.
Tanveer, widely recognized for his knack in the T20 format, believes that he learned a lot by watching the bowling of Afghanistan`s Rashid Khan, Australia`s Adam Zampa, and Nepal`s Sandeep Lamichhane very closely. Before Tanveer, Gurinder Sandhu has played for Australia. Six years ago, he played a one day match against Team India in Melbourne, where he scalped the mere wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane was caught behind.
Before him, India born Stuart Clarke and Brandby Cooper have also played for Australia. Stuart`s father Bruce hails from Chennai. Stuart was fondly called Sarfaraz by cricket lovers because his bowling action was is akin to that of Pakistan`s Sarfaraz Nawaz. Tanveer Sangha is the youngest player in the Big Bash League to be chosen by Sydney Thunders at the age of 17 years and 346 days, and he also lived up to the confidence by performing very consistently.
The bowling of this 19-year-old player also displays considerable maturity. Due to his performance, he has been listed in Australia`s T20I team. Now his biggest challenge will be to meet the tough test of New Zealand.