Tanveer Singh Sangha, the son of Indian migrants, grew up in Sydney’s south-west suburbs, where his cricketing journey began. Initially a fast bowler, it wasn’t until his early teens that he discovered his natural ability as a leg-spinner. That shift in focus ignited his passion for the game, leading him to become one of Australia’s most promising spin prospects.
His talent became evident at a young age. He represented Team India in the Thunder Nation Cup final at just 16 years old, playing against much older opponents. His impressive figures of 2-13 earned him the Player of the Match award at Spotless Stadium. That same year, he played for Australia’s Under-16 team against Pakistan U-16 at Junction Oval in Melbourne. His strong performances in the U17 National Championships in Queensland and the U19 National Championships in Adelaide secured him a place in Australia’s U19 squad for a tour of Sri Lanka in 2019. His growing stature was recognized when he was awarded the NSW Cricket Basil Sellers Scholarship the same year.
Sangha’s rise continued in domestic cricket. He was named Sydney Thunder’s Development Rookie for BBL08 in 2018 before being promoted to their primary list for BBL09 in 2019. He excelled in Australia’s U19 setup, taking 6 wickets in two matches against New Zealand, and was Australia’s leading wicket-taker at the 2020 U19 World Cup in South Africa, claiming 15 wickets in 6 matches at an average of just 11.46. This included two four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul, showcasing his ability to dismantle opposition batting lineups. His performances earned him a State contract with New South Wales at just 18 years old.
Sangha made his Big Bash League debut for the Sydney Thunder in the 2020-21 season on December 12, 2020, against the Melbourne Stars, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs. He finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 wickets at an average of 16.66, boasting an economy rate of 8.04 runs per over, the highest tally for any spinner that season. His breakthrough performances led to his selection in Australia’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series in January 2021, at just 19 years old.
Sangha continued his domestic rise, making his first-class debut on October 27, 2021, for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield, followed by his List A debut on November 24, 2021, in the Marsh One-Day Cup. In August 2022, he was signed by Birmingham Phoenix to play in The Hundred in England, further expanding his experience in franchise cricket.
On August 30, 2023, Sangha made his T20I debut for Australia against South Africa at Kingsmead, becoming the 106th men’s T20I cricketer for Australia. He made an immediate impact, picking up 4-31 in four overs, which was the best return by an Australian on T20I debut in nearly two decades, second only to Michael Kasprowicz’s 4-29 in 2005. This performance also made him the youngest Australian to take four wickets in a Men’s T20I match.
Tanveer Sangha’s journey from a teenage fast bowler to Australia’s rising leg-spin sensation is a testament to his skill and dedication. With a bright future ahead, he is poised to become a key figure in Australia’s spin department across formats.
