About Tanveer Sangha, Australia’s surprise inclusion in semi-final against India

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 journey to the Australian national team has been nothing short of remarkable. His father, Joga Singh, a taxi driver, hails from a village near Jalandhar, Punjab, while his mother, Upjeet Kaur, works as an accountant in Sydney.

Despite his roots, Sangha’s cricketing aspirations were always tied to Australia, where he honed his craft from a young age.

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. His performances led to a state contract with New South Wales at just 18 years old, and he quickly climbed the ranks, making his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder in 2020.

He finished as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker, claiming 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, and he made his international debut in August 2023 against South Africa. Sangha announced himself with a stunning 4-31 in four overs, the best figures by an Australian on T20I debut in nearly two decades. At 21, he became the youngest Australian to claim four wickets in a T20I.

Sangha’s ability to turn the ball sharply, coupled with his fearless approach, made him a valuable asset for Australia heading into the 2023 World Cup. His selection highlights the team’s faith in young talent and their need for quality spin options in subcontinental conditions.

As Sangha steps onto the global stage, all eyes will be on the young spinner to see if he can make a lasting impact on cricket’s biggest stage.