The man who never stops

In a sport where age is often seen as a full stop, Pravin Tambe has always been a comma - a pause before another remarkable chapter begins.

From grinding it out in club cricket for years without recognition, to becoming one of the most inspiring late bloomers in Indian Premier League history after the age of 40, Tambe’s journey is built on resilience, patience and unshakeable belief in himself.

After scripting his one-in-a-million story - one which even inspired a Bollywood script - the now 54-year-old is busy writing another chapter of his incredible career, as the bowling coach for Women’s Premier League outfit Gujarat Giants.

It hardly comes as a surprise from Tambe, for whom cricket has never been just a game - it has been a lifelong devotion.

“This game has given me everything,” Tambe told Olympics.com, his voice carrying both gratitude and quiet intensity. “Even today, when I step onto the ground, I feel like that same young boy who just wanted to bowl one more over. That hunger hasn’t gone anywhere.”

“I’ve lived every emotion this game can offer - rejection, doubt, joy, and pride,” he reflected. “Now, my job is to pass that on. Talent is important, but belief is everything. If you don’t give up, cricket has a way of rewarding you.”

Tambe’s appointment with Gujarat Giants was back in December 2024 and the team has made the playoffs in both the WPL seasons since.

There is something deeply personal about the way Tambe speaks of mentoring bowlers. It’s not about technique alone; it’s about mindset, about standing tall when the odds are stacked against you - something he knows all too well.

“I don’t just want to teach them how to bowl,” he said. “I want to teach them how to fight. Because in cricket, like in life, there will be days when nothing goes your way. That’s when character matters.”

Tambe’s passion remains infectious. Even in a coaching role, his eyes light up when he talks about leg-spin, about reading batters, about the art that he mastered against all odds. His story itself has become a lesson, one that no dressing room talk can replicate.

“Every net session, every match, is an opportunity,” he said. “I tell the players, don’t think about where you are today. Think about where you can be tomorrow. I started my IPL journey at 41. So why should anyone set limits on themselves?”

At Gujarat Giants, Tambe is already playing a crucial role in shaping a new generation of bowlers. But beyond the wickets and strategies, he brings something far more valuable: belief.

His presence alone is a reminder that dreams don’t expire. That sometimes, the longest journeys lead to the most beautiful destinations.

“Cricket is not just about performance,” Tambe said with a smile. “It’s about love for the game. As long as that love is alive, you can achieve anything.”

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