Young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has earned a spot in Australia’s extended 18-player one-day international (ODI) squad, positioning himself as a contender for the upcoming World Cup, set to kick off in October. Despite being just 21 years old, Sangha’s cricket journey has seen him represent four different teams: Australia Under-19s, Sydney Thunder, Washington Freedom, and Birmingham Phoenix. However, his most recent competitive appearance dates back to August 30, 2022, when he played for Birmingham Phoenix against London Spirit at Lord’s Stadium in London.
A month after that match, Sangha faced a setback when he was diagnosed with a lower back stress injury, initially expected to sideline him until December. Unfortunately, the recovery process took longer, keeping him away from competitive cricket for nearly a year.
Despite this injury setback, Sangha’s talent and potential have not gone unnoticed. He has been selected for a five-match ODI tour of South Africa and a three-match tour of India, as reported by cricket.com.au. The selection panel will need to reduce the 18-player squad to 15 members by September 28, 2023, following the conclusion of the third One Day International (ODI) in India, adhering to the World Cup’s maximum player limit.
George Bailey, the Selection Chair, expressed that Sangha had been on their radar for some time, and his inclusion in the upcoming tours was inevitable. Bailey acknowledged Sangha’s unfortunate injury but expressed confidence in his abilities and age, stating that it wouldn’t hinder his progress. He also eagerly anticipates Sangha’s performance during these tours.
Tanveer Sangha’s father, Joga Sangha, immigrated to Australia in 1997 with hopes of his son pursuing a volleyball career. However, young Sangha excelled in soccer, rugby, and cricket, ultimately choosing a career in the latter sport.
