In the ever-evolving world of sports, career paths can often take unexpected turns. One such inspiring journey belongs to Tanmay Srivastava, a former teammate of Virat Kohli in India’s victorious 2008 ICC U19 World Cup team. While Kohli’s career has skyrocketed to global stardom, Tanmay’s cricketing journey didn’t follow the same trajectory. Instead, he has found a new avenue in the world of cricket — as an umpire in the IPL 2025.
Tanmay Srivastava’s Cricketing Beginnings and Early Career
Tanmay Srivastava was a promising young talent in Indian cricket. In the 2008 ICC U19 World Cup, he was the top scorer for India in the final, and his performances earned him a contract with Punjab Kings. However, his career didn’t progress as expected. Despite his early potential, Srivastava’s professional cricketing journey began to plateau. He found himself struggling to break into the IPL and secure a place at the highest level of the game.
Reflecting on his cricketing journey, Srivastava shared with The Times of India that he realized he had reached his peak as a player. “I understood that was the best player I could be. I was nowhere close to playing the IPL. I had to decide if I wanted to prolong life as a player or have a longer, successful second innings,” he explained.
A New Chapter in Umpiring
At the age of 30, Tanmay made the difficult decision to retire from professional cricket, despite still being the captain of Uttarakhand. His retirement marked a major shift in his career, as he opted for a different path within the cricketing world — umpiring.
“I decided to focus on umpiring,” Srivastava revealed. Although he had initially considered coaching as an alternative, including a Level 2 coaching course at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he realized that his best potential in that field would likely be as a fielding coach. Umpiring, on the other hand, seemed to offer him a new challenge and a way to stay connected to the sport he loved.
Srivastava’s decision to pursue umpiring wasn’t just about taking on a new role; it was about finding a fresh, practical path in cricket that would allow him to stay involved with the game in a meaningful way. He passed the necessary umpiring exams and began his journey toward officiating at the highest levels.
Tanmay Srivastava’s Umpiring Debut in IPL 2025
In 2025, Srivastava will make his debut as an umpire in the IPL, a platform that has seen some of the biggest names in world cricket grace its field. Although Tanmay won’t be taking the field as a player, his presence in the IPL as an umpire is a testament to his perseverance and ability to pivot to a new phase of his career.
Interestingly, this debut will bring him into close proximity with his former U19 World Cup teammate, Virat Kohli, as the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain embarks on a new season in the tournament. Srivastava is still in touch with Kohli, and they may cross paths during the IPL 2025 season.
“I am still in touch with Virat, but I had to decide for myself and have a practical outlook,” Tanmay noted. “I told Rajiv Shukla sir that I wanted to do something else in cricket other than playing. He was a bit taken aback since I was still just 30. Then we discussed what the options could be,” he added.
A Full Circle Moment for Tanmay Srivastava
The upcoming season of the IPL 2025 marks a full-circle moment for Tanmay Srivastava. From being a top scorer for India in the 2008 U19 World Cup to becoming a part of the IPL in an entirely different capacity, his journey is proof of the resilience needed to reinvent oneself in the world of sports. His decision to focus on umpiring and coaching shows the evolving nature of a cricketing career, where athletes can transition into new roles, contributing to the sport in different ways.
While his playing career may not have unfolded as spectacularly as his former teammates, Tanmay Srivastava is making a significant impact in cricket through his new role as an umpire. His story serves as an inspiration for all those who might face career setbacks but find the courage to pivot and pursue their passions in the cricketing world.
As the IPL 2025 season kicks off, it will be exciting to see how Tanmay Srivastava officiates, and whether he’ll encounter his old teammate Virat Kohli on the field in what promises to be a season full of surprises and new beginnings.
