In recent years, we’ve seen many Indian cricketers retire from Indian duties, so that they can move to other countries like USA and Canada, or even for the purpose of playing in T20 franchise leagues across the world. However, we’ve seen the move the other way around for an overseas international player, who recently moved out to come back to play in India.
We’re talking about Tamil Nadu’s very own Karthik Meiyappan who was born in 2000 in Chennai, but hadn’t played any professional cricket in India. Playing for the UAE national side, the 24-year old had clocked in 31 ODIs and 15 T20Is for UAE before deciding to move back in 2024, to play domestic cricket in India, and someday make the Indian Premier League too.
Karthik Meiyappan from UAE to TNPL
After moving back to Chennai, Meiyappan made his debut in TNPL 2025 for the Siechem Madurai Panthers on 8th June 2025, finishing with poor figures of 0/42. However, it was a much better second outing for him where he picked up 2 wickets and ended with 2/24 in his 4 overs. It may take for him to adjust to the TNPL and professional cricket in India.
Former UAE leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan, who picked up a hat-trick in the 2022 T20 World Cup, has taken his first big step after returning to Tamil Nadu. Karthik, purchased by Madurai Panthers for the upcoming TNPL, hopes to play for TN and in the IPL. pic.twitter.com/hUrienv1qU
— Shrivathsan S (@Shrivathsan1437) February 27, 2025
Let us remind you what he’s done for the UAE national team though. The player is most known for his 2022 T20 World Cup hat-trick against Sri Lanka. He’s got a 4-fer in his T20I career and as many as four 4-fers in his ODI career, while not having too many exploits with the bat as yet.
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He moved back with the main intention of playing TNPL in India, while also aiming to play red-ball cricket as there’s not a lot of red-ball cricket being played in the UAE. Apart from the national side, he’s also played T20 franchise cricket for Sharjah Warriors and Desert Vipers in the International League T20 in UAE (2 games), and Vancouver Knights in Global T20 Canada.
Karthik Meiyappan has still yet to make it back to the UAE dressing room. He’s had a hug from almost everyone. Posed for a load of selfies. And signed a load of autographs. Lap it up, son. What a moment #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OxTCOJjpiS
— Paul Radley (@PaulRadley) October 18, 2022
We know that the rules for playing in other leagues means you drop your chances of ever playing national cricket in India. Whether the rules for Meiyappan making the national side are in his favour or not, we don’t know. But for now, his first goal would be performing in TNPL and then making it big in the Indian Premier League as well.
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FAQs on Karthik Meiyappan
Q. Who is the Tamil player in the UAE cricket team?
Ans. Karthik Meiyappan is the player from Tamil Nadu who used to play in the UAE national side. However, he left in 2024 to play in India and especially, in the TNPL tournament.
Q. How is Karthik Meiyappan in TNPL?
Ans. The 24-year old leg-spinner was picked by Siechem Madurai Panthers ahead of the TNPL 2025 auction, where he bagged a contract of Rs 9.2 Lakh.
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