Watch: 48-year-old Pravin Tambe celebrates after picking up maiden wicket in historic CPL debut

Age is just a number, they say. And Indian leg-spinner Pravin Tambe is proving it right. The 48-year-old became the first Indian to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Wednesday when he made his debut for Trinbago Knight Riders.

Pravin Tambe replaced an injured Sunil Narine in the Kieron Pollard-led Knight Riders team which took on Daren Sammy’s St Lucia Zouks in the 13th match of CPL 2020. Tambe had to warm the benches in the first 3 matches of the Knight Riders but got an opportunity to create history on Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tambe made his debut memorable by picking up a wicket as early as his first over. Tambe bowled a wrong’un and sent back Afghanistan batsman Najibullah Zadran after he was introduced into the attack in the 11th over.

Tambe came up with his trademark celebration gesture as he looked up and thanked his lucky stars. “Got his man. Lovely salute and celebrations from the old boy,” quipped Danny Morrison on air.

First CPL wicket for Pravin Tambe! Historic moment for this Indian star! #CPL20 #CricketPlayedLouder pic.twitter.com/XFoLyxBIrO

— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 26, 2020

Tambe bowled only 1 over in which he gave away 15 runs before rain halted play in the 18th over of St Lucia Zouks innings.

Misses IPL but grabs CPL ticket in 2020

Tambe, who has played only 2 first-class and 6 List A matches, signed up for the CPL draft and was picked up by Trinbago Knight Riders. Knight Riders’ CEO Venky Mysore congratulated the Indian leg-spinner after he made his debut.

Tambe is technically the first Indian to play in the CPL as former U-19 India player Sunny Sohal played in CPL 2018 for Barbados Tridents. However, he had registered as a US national.

Notably, Tambe had made his Indian Premier League debut in 2013 at the age of 41 for Rajasthan Royals.

Tambe has played 33 IPL matches and has 28 wickets at 30.46. He has not played in the T20 league since 2016 wherein he represented the Gujarat Lions.

The 48-year-old became the oldest player to be bought at the IPL auction held in December when he was roped in by two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price of Rs 20 lakh.

However, he was barred from playing the league as he breached the Board of Control for Cricket in India protocols by playing a fracnhise-based league without announcing retirement. According to BCCI, no active Indian player can participate in foreign fracnhise-based leagues.

Tambe made his retirement official after the IPL 2020 goof-up after which he was picked up Trinbago Knight Riders.