Virat Kohli's teammate from U-19 WC to officiate in IPL 2025

Leading run-scorer in an ICC event to becoming an umpire at the age of 35—Tanmay Srivastava’s journey is a testament to how cricket careers take unexpected turns.

Back in 2008, Srivastava was India’s hero in the U19 World Cup final, top-scoring for the team as they lifted the trophy under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. While Kohli went on to become one of the greatest batters in cricket history, Srivastava’s path took a different course. He earned an IPL contract with Punjab Kings but failed to make a lasting impact. Despite a promising domestic career, his dream of playing for India remained unfulfilled.

By 30, he walked away from professional cricket, but he didn’t give up on the game. Instead, he decided to stay connected in a different way—by becoming an umpire. Now, in IPL 2025, he is set to make his umpiring debut, proving that cricket offers second innings in more ways than one.

The most intriguing twist? Srivastava might soon be officiating matches featuring his former U19 teammate, Virat Kohli. The same young batter who once helped Kohli lift a trophy could now be the one raising his finger to give him out! It’s a surreal moment—one that shows how life comes full circle in the most unexpected ways.

His story is one of resilience and reinvention. Many cricketers fade into the background when their playing careers don’t work out, but Srivastava refused to let his love for the game die. While he may not have reached the heights of international stardom, he found a new way to be part of the action.

Tanmay Srivastava’s return to the IPL isn’t about regret—it’s about proving that the love for cricket goes beyond playing. In a world where success is often measured by fame, his journey is a reminder that sometimes, rewriting your story is the greatest victory of all.