Tanmay Srivastava, who shared the dressing room with Virat Kohli during India’s triumphant 2008 U-19 World Cup campaign, is set to take on a new role in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former cricketer has been appointed as one of the umpires for IPL 2025, which begins on March 22.

Tanmay played a crucial role in the U-19 World Cup final against South Africa, scoring a vital 46 off 74 balls — the highest score from the Indian side — helping the team post 159 in 45.4 overs. Rain later altered the course of the match, with South Africa’s target being revised to 116 in 25 overs. The Proteas fell short, finishing at 103/8, handing India a 12-run victory under the DLS method.

Tanmay retired from professional cricket nearly five years ago and has since transitioned into umpiring on the domestic circuit. He also had a brief stint in the IPL as a player, turning out for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. However, his performance with the bat was underwhelming, managing just eight runs in three innings. Despite his limited success in the IPL, he had a notable domestic career, amassing 4,918 runs in 90 first-class matches.

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The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) announced Tanmay’s new role on social media, posting: “A true player never leaves the field—just changes the game. Wishing Tanmay Srivastava the best as he dons a new hat with the same passion!”

Interestingly, Tanmay’s former U-19 teammate, Virat Kohli, will also feature prominently in the opening match of IPL 2025, as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the tournament opener.