When 21-year-old Tanveer Sangha was named in Australia’s provisional World Cup squad, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Especially intriguing was the fact that he hadn’t played professional cricket for nearly a year due to injuries. Despite having only five List A appearances, Sangha edged out seasoned players like Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann. But those who have seen Sangha bowl weren’t completely surprised.
“He’s been on our radar,” says Mitchell Marsh, stand-in Australian captain. Marsh also reveals Sangha’s quick learning curve and relentless practice regime. Born and raised in Sydney by Indian immigrant parents, Sangha exhibited athletic prowess from a young age. Though he excelled in sports like rugby and football, his parents initially discouraged him from pursuing cricket.
Interestingly, Sangha’s father had dreams of his son playing volleyball. “But cricket won the race,” he conceded in an interview with The Indian Express. The young cricketer quickly realized that his physique wasn’t suited for fast bowling. Thus, he shifted his focus to leg-spin. Rather unconventionally, he honed his skills by watching YouTube tutorials.
Within a few years, Sangha was representing Australia at the Under-16 level. He further solidified his reputation at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2020. There, he emerged as Australia’s leading wicket-taker, snagging 15 wickets, including a five-wicket haul against Nigeria. Later that year, he made his Big Bash League debut for the Sydney Thunder, ending his first season with an impressive 21 wickets.
The Meteoric Rise of Tanveer Sangha: A YouTube-Taught Leg Spinner
Soon after turning 19, Sangha got selected for Australia’s T20 tour of New Zealand. Though he didn’t get to play, owing to the presence of seasoned spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, his talent was hard to ignore. During his Sheffield Shield debut for New South Wales, he took 3-44, followed by 4-21 in his first one-day domestic appearance. His form didn’t go unnoticed, as he took 16 more wickets in the following Big Bash season.
Even international stars took note. West Indies legend Andre Russell praised Sangha’s courage and skill. “You have a big heart, and I like spinners who aren’t afraid to bowl to big hitters,” Russell told him. Sangha’s courageous spirit was on display again when he toured Sri Lanka with Australia A, taking crucial wickets in a nail-biting victory.
What sets Sangha apart is his unique bowling style. His stock ball zips through quicker and flatter than traditional leg-spin, targeting the stumps and stifling batters at the crease. His uncanny consistency makes him a reliable attacking option, particularly during the middle overs in 50-over cricket. If he gets a chance to play in South Africa, he’ll become the second Indian-origin male cricketer to represent Australia after Gurinder Sandhu.
Sangha’s journey serves as a testament to the potential of self-learning and the opportunities the Internet provides. From YouTube tutorials to the world stage, his meteoric rise epitomizes the power of hard work and innate talent. It also underscores how traditional routes to professional sports are evolving.
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Looking ahead, Sangha is poised to make a significant impact on Australian cricket. As Australia’s white-ball squads arrived in South Africa, all eyes will be on this YouTube-taught leg-spinner. With mentors and critics alike awaiting his performance, Sangha is one young player who seems ready to embrace the world stage fully. It’s safe to say that Sangha, with his exceptional skills and relentless drive, is here to stay.
