A few days back, former Australian speedster Shaun Tait made an exciting revelation on Twitter. Tait announced that he has finally become an ‘Overseas Citizen of India.’ The 34-year-old is married to Mumbai-based model Mashoom Singha since the last three years and became eligible for getting the passport as he married to an Indian. An ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ is perhaps similar to any person holding a dual citizenship in any other country where dual citizenship is recognised.

As per Indian constitution: “The Government of India, on application, may register any person as an overseas citizen of India if the person is a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.”

Indian fans, however, were more concerned if he would be eligible for play for India. There was an immediate buzz around this topic. But, unfortunately, the answer is ‘no’. There are two strong reasons that quash this misunderstanding.

To start with, Tait hasn’t said anything regarding this on record. Secondly, according to ICC regulations, a cricketer can become eligible to play for another country only after four years of playing his last international match, minimum.

Tait, who now plays only in the T20 format, played his last T20I in January 2016 and therefore, even if there is outside chance of him representing India, it can be only possible in the year 2020 at the age of 37.