Australia’s decision to include young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha in their squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against India has surprised many. The 21-year-old, of Indian descent, has been making waves in domestic cricket but had yet to make his mark on the international stage before his selection. Sangha, having played only 3 ODIs prior to Tuesday's match, is still inexperienced at the highest level.
Born in Sydney to Indian and Fijian parents, Sangha’s cricketing aspirations were always tied to Australia, where he honed his craft from a young age. His father, Joga Singh, is from a village near Jalandhar, Punjab, and works as a taxi driver, and his mother, Upjeet Kaur, is employed as an accountant. Despite his roots, Sangha always aspired to play for Australia.
Sangha first gained attention when he emerged as Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, picking up 15 wickets at an impressive average of 11.46. This performance led to him being awarded the prestigious NSW Cricket Basil Sellers Scholarship and earning a state contract with New South Wales at just 18 years old. Sangha demonstrated his talent by making his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder the same year, finishing as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker, with 21 scalps at an economy of just over eight runs per over.
His rapid rise continued when he was named in Australia’s T20I squad for their series against New Zealand in 2021. Sangha made his international debut against South Africa on August 30, 2023, where he claimed 4 for 31 in four overs, marking the best figures by an Australian on T20I debut in nearly two decades. At just 21 years old, he became the youngest Australian to achieve four wickets in T20I cricket.
Now, as Australia prepares to face India on March 4, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium, Sangha steps onto one of the biggest stages of his career. Captain Steve Smith opted to bat first after winning the toss, showcasing confidence not only in his batting lineup but also in the skills of Sangha on the spin-friendly wicket.
While Sangha has already proven himself as a dangerous asset, statistics from his List A record indicate solid potential. He has taken 16 wickets from 14 matches at an economy rate of 5.86 and modified his approach to become impactful during the middle overs, making him pivotal against the formidable Indian batter lineup. Sangha's ability to turn the ball sharply alongside his daring approach could unsettle the Indian batsmen, who previously struggled against spin during the last Test series against New Zealand.
Interestingly, Sangha’s cricketing path reflects the blend of cultures, showcasing how sporting talent transcends geographic and ethnic boundaries. He is the fourth player of Indian descent to represent Australia, joining the ranks of notable players like Gurinder Sandhu and Stuart Clark.
His selection has naturally raised eyebrows, but it also highlights Australia's commitment to nurturing young talent. With all eyes on him as he prepares to challenge cricket's strongest teams, the cricketing world eagerly anticipates what this young spinner will deliver on such an immense platform.
While his debut and initial performances have warranted excitement, Australia's selectors clearly hold significant faith in Sangha's abilities, evidently aiming to leverage his spin skills against the Indian batsmen. The pressure is immense, but some see it as 'just another game'.
For Tanveer Sangha, the battle against cricketing giants like India will be not only about proving himself on the field but also about stepping up to the expectations of the Australian fans and selectors who want results. This semi-final clash could very well set the stage for what remains of Sangha’s career moving forward. His talent and drive are undeniable, and if his past performances are any indication, he may just shine bright on the world stage.