Shaun Tait ‘turns’ Indian from Australian with Overseas Citizen passport

Shaun Tait, reputed to be one of the fastest ever Australian pace bowlers, has become an Overseas Citizen of India three years after getting married to Indian model Mashoom Singha.

Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has become an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). The pacer, who had won the World Cup with Australia in 2007, posted a picture of his OCI passport on Twitter Friday.

Shaun Tait become an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) after his marriage to Indian model Mashoom Singha.(AFP)

That’s a warm development when on-field India and Australia relations have been edgy at best in the ongoing four-match Test series. The final Test of the series is going to get underway at Dharamsala on Saturday where sparks are expected to fly between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith’s men with a series victory at stake.

While a “war” is being waged on field, Tait, known for his pace and aggression, has embraced India. Well, it has a lot to do with his wife.

Shaun Tait is married to Indian model Mashoom Singha, whom he started dating in 2010 while playing in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals. Tait and Singha got married in 2014.

The fast bowler, however, is unlikely to play for India. As per ICC rules, he is eligible to play for India only in 2020, when he would be 38 and already well past his prime.

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Tait, who has reportedly bowled the second fastest delivery in cricket history, was key to Australia cricket team’s triumph in the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies.

He was the tournament’s joint-second highest wicket-taker, alongside Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan on 23 wickets, behind Glenn McGrath.

Tait’s career after the World Cup was not smooth. Hampered with injuries, he started focusing more on the Twenty20 format. His Test career ended in 2008, and he retired from ODIs in 2011. The pacer’s last game for Australia was a T20I against India in January 2016.