Onkar Tarmale Profile, Career & Stats

Onkar Tarmale is a right-arm fast bowler from Mumbai whose rise to the IPL has been shaped by raw pace and family sacrifice. 

Capable of hitting speeds close to 145 kmph, he caught the attention of Sunrisers Hyderabad, who signed him for INR 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. Still early in his professional career, Tarmale is seen as a developing hit-the-deck seamer with the tools suited for modern T20 cricket.

Onkar Tarmale’s Early Life and Background

Onkar Tarmale was born on August 22, 2002, in Shere village in Shahapur taluka, around 60 kilometres from Mumbai. He grew up in a farming family where finances were tight, and pursuing a professional sport required significant risk.

His father, Tukaram, played the biggest role in that decision. To support his training, he took a loan and even mortgaged family jewellery so his son could travel and practice regularly. The investment allowed Onkar to move beyond village cricket and attend proper coaching while studying at Podar School in Shahapur.

Like many Indian fast bowlers, he started with tennis-ball matches before transitioning to leather-ball cricket. Former India pacer Dhawal Kulkarni noticed his natural pace and convinced the family he had the potential to succeed professionally. Although opportunities from smaller domestic setups were considered, the family chose to keep him in the tougher Mumbai circuit to accelerate his growth.

Onkar Tarmale's Domestic Career

Onkar Tarmale first gained attention in local T20 competitions such as the T20 Mumbai League, representing Eagle Thane Strikers, and in the Maharashtra Premier League. Across domestic T20 tournaments, he picked up wickets consistently, relying on heavy lengths rather than just speed.

Under guidance from Dhawal Kulkarni, he expanded his skillset to include yorkers, slower balls and surprise bouncers — variations that improved his effectiveness in shorter formats.

Tarmale made his List A debut for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2025 against Uttarakhand. He impressed immediately, returning figures of 2/40 and helping his side secure a comfortable victory. His early appearances highlighted his ability to bowl disciplined lengths even at high speed.

In January 2026, Tarmale's First-Class debut came against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy. In his initial matches, he showed promise by troubling top-order batters with bounce and seam movement, including a notable spell against Delhi where he picked up key wickets in the second innings.

Though still new to red-ball cricket, selectors view him as a pace option capable of growing into longer spells with experience.

Onkar Tarmale's IPL Career 

Onkar Tarmale’s big break came at the IPL 2026 mini-auction when Sunrisers Hyderabad secured him for INR 30 lakh. His selection was largely shaped during the franchise trials, where he managed only a couple of overs due to a hamstring strain. Even in that short spell, his pace — touching the mid-140 kmph range — caught immediate attention.

SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron played a key role in the decision. Impressed by Tarmale’s hit-the-deck approach and natural speed, Aaron recommended him to the team management as a long-term pace prospect. The franchise, looking to add domestic fast-bowling depth, backed that assessment and brought him into the squad.

For Tarmale, the signing marked the payoff for years of effort from village cricket to professional trials. The IPL environment now offers him the opportunity to work closely with experienced fast bowlers and refine his skills, particularly in adapting his pace and variations for high-pressure T20 situations

(As of March 2026)