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Virat Kohli’s U-19 World Cup teammate takes an unexpected IPL 2025 role

Updated On: 19 March, 2025 10:40 PM IST | Srijanee Majumdar

Virat Kohli's longevity in IPL is highlighted by the contrasting career path of his 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning teammate, Tanmay Srivastava, who is geared up to make his debut as an official match umpire in IPL 2025 (Photos: X)

Photo: X

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Photo: X
Srivastava, India’s top-scorer in the victorious 2008 U19 World Cup final against South Africa, will become the first player in IPL history to both play and officiate a match. After representing Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the league’s early years, he transitioned into a new role, qualifying as a BCCI-certified umpire

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Srivastava, India’s top-scorer in the victorious 2008 U19 World Cup final against South Africa, will become the first player in IPL history to both play and officiate a match. After representing Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the league’s early years, he transitioned into a new role, qualifying as a BCCI-certified umpire

Reflecting on his career shift, Srivastava told TOI, "I understood that was the best player I could be...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."

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Reflecting on his career shift, Srivastava told TOI, "I understood that was the best player I could be...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."

At 35, Srivastava’s progression into umpiring has been swift. He completed his Level 2 umpiring course with the BCCI in just two years, demonstrating his dedication to mastering the intricacies of officiating

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At 35, Srivastava’s progression into umpiring has been swift. He completed his Level 2 umpiring course with the BCCI in just two years, demonstrating his dedication to mastering the intricacies of officiating

Srivastava credited a pivotal conversation with BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla for helping him chart this new direction. "I told Shukla sir that I wanted to do something else in cricket other than playing. He was a bit taken aback since I was still just 30. Then we discussed what the options could be. I did my Level 2 course in coaching in NCA, but I knew the best I could become was fielding coach. I decided to focus on umpiring," he revealed.

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Srivastava credited a pivotal conversation with BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla for helping him chart this new direction. "I told Shukla sir that I wanted to do something else in cricket other than playing. He was a bit taken aback since I was still just 30. Then we discussed what the options could be. I did my Level 2 course in coaching in NCA, but I knew the best I could become was fielding coach. I decided to focus on umpiring," he revealed.

Beyond umpiring, Srivastava has remained deeply involved in cricket post-retirement. In 2020, he took on the role of a talent scout for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), working closely with the franchise’s management

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Beyond umpiring, Srivastava has remained deeply involved in cricket post-retirement. In 2020, he took on the role of a talent scout for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), working closely with the franchise’s management

Additionally, he served as a fielding coach for India’s U16 squad at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and the Jammu and Kashmir state team

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Additionally, he served as a fielding coach for India’s U16 squad at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and the Jammu and Kashmir state team

Srivastava played seven matches for Kings XI Punjab in the 2008 and 2009 IPL seasons. While his IPL impact was limited, he excelled in domestic cricket, scoring nearly 5000 runs in 90 first-class games.

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Srivastava played seven matches for Kings XI Punjab in the 2008 and 2009 IPL seasons. While his IPL impact was limited, he excelled in domestic cricket, scoring nearly 5000 runs in 90 first-class games.

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