Meet Kaun Pravin Tambe, whose IPL career started at 41 and still going strong at 50

New Delhi: ‘Kaun Pravin Tambe?’ the new OTT release on Disney+Hotstar is entertaining as well as engaging as it narrates the true story of a very common man who ran behind his dreams and finally succeeded. Little did we have any idea about who is Pravin Tambe, but after watching the film starring Shreyas Talpade, people are browsing through the bio of the cricketer who made his debut in the world of cricket at quite a late age.

It was in the year 2013 when Pravin Tambe was suddenly making headlines, as he made his debut in cricket at the national level at the age of 41, representing Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League. Following this, he won two ‘Man of the Match’ awards for the team down the years, before becoming the first Indian player to play in the Caribbean Premier League.

Many expressed surprise as at the age when people announce retirement, Tambe made his cricket career debut at the national level and is still going strong at the age of 50.

Here’s all you need to know about Pravin Tambe

Born on October 8, 1971, Pravin Tambe hailed from Mumbai. He always dreamt of becoming a fast bowler and playing for team India, during his early days under the advice of his then skipper Ajay Kadam, the right-hander turned to leg-spin.

Tambe pursued cricket side by side his main daily job. After years of dedication and practice, switching between different local cricket clubs in Mumbai, Tambe represented the Shivaji Park Gymkhana in the city’s top cricket division, before being named in the probables for Mumbai’s Ranji squad in 2000 and 2002, however, he couldn’t made it to the final cut.

CPL debut ✅
First over ✅
Maiden wicket ✅

Pravin Tambe, at 48, is writing a special story!pic.twitter.com/1o0sbkZF4l

— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2020

However, in 2013, Tambe’s cricket career took an unexpected turn as he signed a contract with Rajasthan Royals, after impressing in a local invitational T20 tournament. Tambe’s talent to bowl different variations of leg-spin left the opposition in a tight and surprising position. This made him get an entry to Rajasthan Royal’s squad.

On May 7, 2013, Tambe became the oldest player to make a debut at the age of 41 against Delhi Daredevils. In 2014, he secured a two-ball hattrick to dismiss KKR’s Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, and Ryan ten Doeschate to pick up the ‘Man of the Match’ award.

HAT TRICK!
Pravin Tambe you beauty! He has turned this match on its head. 6 wickets in 8 balls. Halla Bol! #WeAreTheRoyals #RR

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 5, 2014

He finished that season, becoming the highest wicket-taker by scalping 15 wickets to his name for Rajasthan Royal. Down the years, he played for Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In 2020, he became the first Indian player to play in the Caribbean Premier League, representing Trinbago Knight Riders, eventually winning the Championship that year.