Former India U19 batter Tanmay Srivastava will earn a unique distinction when he steps out to umpire in IPL 2025.
Srivastava lifted the U19 World Cup in 2008 under Virat Kohli's captaincy, playing a crucial role in a low-scoring summit clash against South Africa. Batting at No.3, Srivastava top-scored with 46 to help India post 159, before they restricted their opponents to 103-8 and won by 12 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Unfortunately, he did not make it to the senior Indian side. But Srivastava continued to grind his way through domestic cricket, representing Uttar Pradesh. Over 90 first-class and 44 List A matches, he scored nearly 5000 and 2000 runs respectively before retiring in 2020, just shy of his 31st birthday.
IPL 2025, live updates: Team news, player arrival and training updates, latest pictures and more
Tanmay Srivastava set to umpire in IPL 2025
Since hanging up his boots, Srivastava has ventured into umpiring, standing in his first game in April 2024 – a Senior Women's Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy clash between West Zone and South Zone in Ambi.
He has been a regular umpire on the domestic circuit in the 2024-25 season, officiating in four Women's Inter State Trophy matches, seven Vijay Hazare Trophy games, and two Ranji Trophy matches.
On Tuesday (March 18), it was confirmed by his state board, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, that Srivastava would be one of the umpires for IPL 2025.
Tanmay Srivastava to become first cricketer to play and umpire in IPL
His new role will see Srivastava achieve a unique distinction – the first player ever to play and umpire in the IPL.
Srivastava represented Kings XI Punjab immediately after the U19 World Cup win in the 2008 season, on five occasions and in 2009 on two occasions. He batted just thrice, scoring eight runs. Srivastava also later earned contracts with Deccan Chargers and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, but did not play another match in the IPL.
Read more: IPL 2025: Should Sunil Narine still open for KKR?
Two other players have played in the IPL and become match officials – Pankaj Dharmani and Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Neither have umpired in the league, though, only acting as match referees for nine and two matches respectively.
Interestingly, all three of Srivastava, Dharmani and Sodhi have only ever played in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
