'All three formats is definitely up for play' - Tanveer Sangha optimistic for multi-format representation

In a much-anticipated return to red-ball cricket, Australia's Tanveer Sangha gears up for his first Sheffield Shield match in nearly two years, donning the New South Wales jersey against Queensland on Monday, March 11. The 22-year-old leg-spinner, often seen in the shorter formats, is eager to prove his mettle in the more traditional version of the game.

Having showcased his skills in two ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia, Sangha's red-ball appearances at the first-class level have been very limited. Despite this, the talented spinner is steadfast in his pursuit of becoming a versatile three-format bowler for Australia.

“I definitely think all three formats is definitely up for play. There's plenty of time still. Everyone says I'm young. I'm 22. You're not going to peak until late 20s,” Sangha said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Acknowledging the challenges of mastering the tough art of leg-spin, the Sydney lad remains focused on the long term, emphasizing the importance of continual learning.

“It's the most difficult skill in cricket. I'm still learning, trying to pull leggies, wrong'uns, toppies, sliders and executing all these different variations. I'm just trying to think long term rather than short. It's a long career if I do make it and I do get through all of it," he added.

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Drawing inspiration from fellow cricketers like Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, Sangha is keenly aware of the delicate balance between white-ball and red-ball cricket. He reflects on the lessons learned during his time away, exploring ways to maintain his red-ball skills while on white-ball tours.

"That's what I'm learning now while I was away,” Sangha said. “What can I still do while on a white-ball tour to make sure I'm maintaining my red ball-skills, shapes and bowling style?

“Is there something I can just do once a week? Where in one training session I just focus on something specific to red ball, just so I can maintain it. That's the balance that now I'm trying to learn to be an all-format player.”

There's more opportunity to get the batters out in red-ball: Sangha

For Sangha, the red-ball game isn't just about personal development; it's an investment that can pay dividends in the shorter formats. He sees the intricacies of red-ball cricket as a training ground for honing his skills, believing that the patience and planning required in the longer format can enhance his performance in high-pressure white-ball encounters.

“Red ball, there's so much more repetition. There's so much more trying to get the batter out because they have so much time,” Sangha said. “But in white-ball cricket, they want to come at you. There's more opportunity to get them out.

“In red ball, there's quite a bit of thought and time that goes into trying to plan to get a better out, rather than just trying to be consistent. That's where the art of spin bowling is. I've seen it with Warnie (Shane Warne), [Ravichandran] Ashwin and Gaz [Nathan Lyon]. Each season, I'm trying to get better and better, and not just be the same bowler in a few years time,” he concluded.

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