From slogging in the maidans to being Rahul Dravid's 'go-to man', Tambe was living a dream. On Monday, that dream got better when the Mumbai selectors named him in a 15-man squad for the next game against Jharkhand on December 6.
The 42-year-old could soon become the oldest debutant in the history of first class cricket. Tambe plays for DY Patil in the local circuit besides working as a sports officer and maintenance manager of a college hostel at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
He had to cut down on his working hours and return home early on Monday when he received the news about his maiden Mumbai call-up. It was something he was waiting for all his life.
"I have to sit in the office till 5.30 pm on Mondays, since we don't practise on the first day of the week. But I am returning home earlier than usual because there is a celebration planned at home," an elated and emotional Tambe told TOI on Monday.
A father of two kids, Tambe, who worked as a liason officer at the DY Patil Stadium for the Sahara Pune Warriors in 2011, was eager to share the news with his 13-year-old son and Royals' skipper Dravid.
"I have waited a long time for this day. It has finally arrived. Every Mumbai cricketer in this city dreams of playing for Mumbai. I hope to make the final XI and prove myself at that level," Tambe, who started playing local cricket in 1996 for Orient Shipping, said. It is clear that his CLT20 show has wowed the Mumbai selectors.
"I have taken 26 wickets in four local games this season," he revealed. On Sunday, Tambe had pulled off an improbable win for DY Patil, scalping two wickets off the final two balls of the match against Shivaji Park Gymkhana in a Kanga League 'A' Division game.
He claims frustration never got to him despite being repeatedly ignored by the selectors. "I just enjoy playing the game whole-heartedly. I don't play to get selected anywhere," he stressed.
There is a strong message that Mumbai's selectors have conveyed to the youngsters by selecting Tambe. "His attitude and approach are praiseworthy. No youngster comes close to him at the moment.
In fact, no young spinner (barring Vishal Dhabolkar) in Mumbai qualifies to play in the Ranji Trophy right now. We don't want to dole out the Mumbai cap to a youngster. He has to earn it," remarked Mumbai chief selector Deepak Jadhav. Mumbai coach Sulakshan Kulkarni feels Tambe's selection is an indicator of the paucity of spin-bowling talent in the city.
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