Pravin Tambe awaits BCCI NOC: The veteran spinner is in line to become the first Indian player to play in the Caribbean Premier League.
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Spinner Pravin Tambe is in line to become the first Indian cricketer to play in the Caribbean Premier League after he has been picked by Trinbago Knight Riders for the upcoming season slated to be played between August 18 and September 10 behind closed doors in Trinidad & Tobago.
“I had applied for the draft [which was held virtually on Wednesday] and I was informed that I have been picked by the Trinbago Knight Riders. It is a big opportunity for me and I am looking forward to it,” Tambe was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
Tambe, 48, has been continually defying the age-related norm in the sport. Bereft of outdoor practice due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Tambe claims to be training indoors for playing in the CPL. “I have been training indoors. For any player, this is a big opportunity and I hope to play to my strength,” Tambe said.
Pravin Tambe awaits BCCI NOC for maiden CPL stint
Tambe, who last played in the Indian Premier League in 2017 for SunRisers Hyderabad, was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for his base price of INR 20 lakh ahead of this year’s IPL.
However, him representing Sindhis in the inaugural Abu Dhabi T10 League saw him standing ineligible for the IPL. “He [Pravin Tambe] won’t be allowed to play IPL. He won’t be allowed otherwise we have to allow everyone.
“The board only allow players to play in one-day, three-day, four-day and county cricket and each player has to seek BCCI and respective state association’s no-objection certificate,” IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel was quoted as saying by The Indian Express back in the day.
It is worth mentioning that Indian players are not allowed to participate in overseas leagues without obtaining an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
Tambe, who had announced his retirement in 2018 before playing the T10 league, made a U-turn to play the Mumbai T20 League last year. It was then that the veteran player put his name up for IPL 2020. If Tambe doesn’t get the NOC from the cricket board, he will have the option to retire and then take part in the CPL.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh (also the T10 League) and fast bowler Manpreet Singh Gony played in the Global T20 Canada last year. However, both the players had announced their retirement before playing abroad.
Most recently, senior players in Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Pragyan Ojha had opened up on their desire of playing in overseas cricket leagues.
