LUCKNOW: Tanmay Srivastava, a former Ranji cricketer from Lucknow, is scheduled to step into IPL action as an on-field umpire for the Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals clash at Mullanpur on April 28. Srivastava will take charge on the field for the first time in the league, marking a significant switch from his earlier stint as a player to a new officiating role.
Return to Punjab Kings after a long playing gap
Srivastava first appeared in the IPL as a player for Punjab Kings in 2008, and the upcoming match will see him return to the franchise in a completely different capacity after 18 years. The April 28 fixture will therefore be more than a debut for him—it will also bring him back to the team that gave him his league breakthrough as a batsman.
A milestone for Uttar Pradesh umpiring
The upcoming appointment also carries a regional milestone. Srivastava is set to become the first umpire from Uttar Pradesh to officiate an IPL match as an on-field umpire. His IPL experience behind the scenes is not new, either: last year, he made his league debut as a fourth umpire.
IPL assignments this season
For the current IPL season, Srivastava has been given four on-field umpiring appointments. The schedule for those matches is as follows:
- Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals — April 28 (Mullanpur)
- Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings — May 5
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians — May 10
- Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad — May 18
Beyond those on-field roles, he is also expected to feature in additional games as a fourth umpire and as a TV umpire during the season.
From Lucknow cricket to coaching and umpiring
Srivastava’s cricket path began in the streets and grounds of Lucknow. He first played at Chowk and at the KD Singh Babu Stadium before moving to Green Park Hostel, where he progressed from Under-14 cricket to first-class level while representing Kanpur.
After his playing days, he continued his involvement in the sport in multiple capacities. He worked as a scout for RCB, then shifted into coaching and cleared the Level 2 coaching examination. He also served as the fielding coach for the Jammu & Kashmir Ranji team and was part of the National Cricket Academy setup, working as the batting coach for the Under-16 side.
Eventually, he moved into umpiring. Over the past three years, Srivastava has been involved in match officiating, building experience before stepping onto the IPL on-field panel.
Playing record and leadership background
Srivastava is a member of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning group and has also led the side as a former Under-19 India captain. In first-class cricket, he played 90 matches and accumulated 4,918 runs.
