Oshane Thomas Reveals His Journey From The Jamica Tallawahs To Bagging An IPL Contract

As a 19-year-old, West Indian bowler Oshane Thomas shot into the limelight in the summer of 2016 when Andrew Richardson, the coach of Jamaica Tallawahs, had a look at him. After looking at his three deliveries, Richardson insisted the General Manager, Mohammad Khan, who advised him to have a glance at some players, to sign Thomas right away. During the Caribbean Premier League’s edition of 2017 for Jamaica, Oshane Thomas trapped St. Kitts’ Chris Gayle for a duck.

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He went on to dismiss Mohammad Nabi with a short delivery and in one of the games, uprooted Shai Hope’s all three stumps with a pinpoint yorker. The ball that got the potent West Indies top-order batsman provoked Andrew Richardson to say that some team would opt for him in the Indian Premier League if he continues this way. In 2018 edition of the CPL, the 23-year old snapped up 18 wickets in ten games at 17.66.

It would only be in 2019 that the quick bowler emerged in the Indian Premier League. Rajasthan Royals secured his services for an astounding amount of INR 1.1 crores. When Thomas came into the auction, the franchise still needed eight players to fill in the pack. He was only eight international games before the record-breaking IPL contract came into the fore.

2017 CPL was my big break of the year: Oshane Thomas

In a feature video with the ESPN Cricinfo, the Jamaican admitted that the CPL in 2017 was the turning point of his career. Although he played only two games that season, his four wickets yielded at an average of 15.75.

“2017 CPL was my big break of the year, so from there on there was no looking back from there.”

Speaking of his stint in the IPL, Oshane stated that in India they treat cricketers like a king. He further mentioned that the franchise treated him like a family. Being a youngster and an inexperienced player, the Jamaican understood that he couldn’t break into the side, which had four blockbuster overseas players like Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes.

However, after sitting out for ten games, Oshane Thomas got his chance, and he did well. In four matches that season, the towering right-arm speedster picked five wickets. If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas would have plied his trade for the Rajasthan Royals this time as well, showcasing his fast-bowling skills.

“The IPL was a lot of fun; they treat you like a king. In Rajasthan Royals, they treat you like a family. I was there in the bench for ten games since only four overseas players could play – Steve Smith, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler and a youngster coming in, knowing I can’t play alongside those four so I told myself to keep focussing.

Finally, I get a crack and I did well. It was really good and I am looking forward to the next IPL. Hopefully, I could go on to be into start the Rajasthan Royals’ team.”

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