IPL 2020: Pravin Tambe ineligible to play in the tournament

Leg-spinner Pravin Tambe will not be eligible to participate in the upcoming edition of the IPL. The 48-year old veteran became the oldest player to be bought during the auctions when he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for 20 lakhs.

Tambe flouted BCCI regulations by participating in a foreign league (T10 league in UAE) before announcing his official retirement. This has made him ineligible to participate in the tournament for the Kolkata-based franchise.

Tambe has played 33 matches in the tournament in four seasons. He has picked up 28 wickets, playing for three franchises – Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He made a major impact for the Royals during the 2014 season, picking up 15 wickets.

On Tambe’s ineligibility, a BCCI official told IANS:

“BCCI rules strictly say that an Indian player has to be exclusively playing in the IPL or he has to stay away from the cash-rich league and participate in other leagues across the globe. To have sent in his name for the T10 draft and now to also be a part of the IPL is clearly against the BCCI protocol. So, he can’t play.”

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh recently tried to participate in the Hundred, by enrolling his name for the draft. He eventually pulled out, opting to play in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings. Yuvraj Singh played in the Global T20 League in Canada as well as the T10 league after retiring from all forms of the game.

Kolkata Knight Riders will now be able to sign a replacement player for Tambe. It remains to be seen whether they decide to take up this option.