Tanveer Sangha, a 21-year-old leg-spinner, has been named in Australia’s extended 18-player squad ahead of the ODI World Cup to be held in India. If he gets to play against South Africa on the upcoming tour, he will become only the second Indian-origin cricketer after Gurinder Sandhu to play for Australia.

Speaking to Indian Express, Tanvir’s father Joga Sangha said, “I wanted him to play volleyball. He was pretty good at it. But then he was good in so many sports. He is a brilliant athlete. He was equally good in soccer, rugby, cricket, kabaddi and volleyball. I wanted him to play volleyball because that’s a sport I am very fond of. I used to play it in Jalandhar and then in Australia as well, but cricket won the race.” 

Joga Sangha who hails from Rahimpur village in Jalandhar district, migrated to Australia in 1997 on a student visa.

Now he operates a small business of aluminium doors and windows in Sydney but had to pass through a lot of hardship for the survival financially. When asked about racism, Joga revealed, “Yes, racism is also there; you can’t say no. But there is transparency here. If you have talent, you will be picked. You can’t blatantly blame racism.”

After the U-19 World Cup in 2020, Tanveer emerged as a breakout star in the BBL in 2021. He finished the season as the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps at an average of 16.66.

The youngster was showered with praise by hard-hitting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, who called him a “big-hearted spinner.” Russell was playing for Melbourne Star and while speaking to local media opined, “I commended him and said ‘Listen, you have a big heart and I like spinners that are not afraid to bowl to big hitters.’ He was bowling into my body and mixing his pace. He’s not afraid to bowl in the Power Surge over to me… he did well, so hats off to him.” 

Australian great Ricky Ponting was also impressed after watching him bowl for Sydney Thunder. Ponting wanted Sangha to be fast-tracked into the senior team.

The 21-year-old has spent the past month in the US as part of the Washington Freedom squad in the inaugural Major League Cricket. He replaced Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga but did not get to play any matches.

Growing up, Sangha was hugely influenced by Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and it is his dream to bowl in tandem with the Indian leggie. His father however is optimistic that Tanveer will shine for Australia and get a call from any IPL franchise where he will be able to meet his dream bowler.