Multi-talented Rudy van Vuuren (Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

India vs Namibia: Team India's next clash in the T20 World Cup 2026 is now with Namibia. This will be the third meeting of these two teams in the ICC tournament. Earlier, they had faced each other in the 2003 ODI World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup, where India defeated Namibia. This time too Team India has the upper hand. But here the question is not about which team is superior to which team. Rather, the question is, do you know about the Namibian doctor who became famous by taking the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar? We are talking not just about the doctor but about Namibia's multi-talented man Rudy Van Vuuren.

Multi-talented Rudy van Vuuren is today the President of Namibia Cricket.

In Hindi, we read many words instead of one word, similarly, there are many words for Namibia's Rudy Van Vuuren like cricketer, doctor, wildlife protector, rugby player, president etc. Rudy Van Vuuren is currently 53 years old and he is working to run Namibia Cricket. He is currently the President of Cricket Namibia. But at the same time he is also a qualified doctor.

Was the personal doctor of the President of the country

Rudy van Vuuren completed his doctoral studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa in the early 1990s. He has also been the personal physician of Namibian President Hague Zengob. In 2000, he married Marlies Van Vuuren, an environmental activist. Along with his wife, he also opened his own wildlife sanctuary.

When Rudy Van Vuuren made history

But, amidst all these achievements in life, Rudy Van Vuuren earned his real name when he became the first player to play the World Cup of two sports in the same calendar year. The year was 2003. This year he not only played the Cricket World Cup but also represented Namibia in the Rugby World Cup and created history.

Sachin-Sehwag were out in 2003 World Cup

He dominated by taking the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Sachin Tendulkar was tired after playing a long innings of 152 runs against Namibia in the 2003 World Cup. Wuren took his wicket during that time. He clean bowled Sachin.

In the 2003 ODI World Cup, Rudy Van Vuuren did not only dismiss Sachin Tendulkar. In fact, before dismissing him, Rudy Van Vuuren had also dismissed Virender Sehwag. Meaning, both the openers of Team India or rather, the wickets of the two most formidable batsmen of the Indian batting order were taken by Rudy Van Vuuren. He took both these wickets by giving away 53 runs in 10 overs in that match.

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After that World Cup, Rudy van Vuuren did not play any more cricket match for Namibia. In his international cricket career, he played 5 matches and took 8 wickets. The big thing was that one of the wickets was that of Sachin Tendulkar.