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Ravi Kumar is an Indian cricketer who plays at the Under-19 level. He is known for his left-arm pacer balling style. He has played a pivotal role in leading the Under-19 Indian cricket team to win the world cup 2022 by playing the dual role of a run-choker and a wicket-taker.
Wiki/Biography
Ravi Kumar was born on Wednesday, 29 October 2003 (age 18 years; as of 2021) in Kolkata. He moved to Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh with his family in his childhood. He started playing tennis-ball cricket in Aligarh and later took admission in Aligarh Jagdish Dutt Sharma Cricket Academy (JDSCA). He learnt the nuances of cricket under the training of his coach Arvind Bharadwaj.
Ravi Kumar in his hometown Aligarh
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′ 1″
Weight (approx.): 60 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Rajinder Singh is an assistant sub-inspector, who is posted in a CRPF camp in the Maoist-prone Rayagada district of Odisha. He spent most of his life away from his family to serve the nation in the militant-hit regions of Srinagar. Not much is known about his mother. He has 2 siblings, a sister and a younger brother.
Cricket
Ravi Kumar started playing cricket with a tennis ball in his childhood days in Aligarh, UP. Later, he joined Aligarh Jagdish Dutt Sharma Cricket Academy (JDSCA) and started training for cricket seriously under his coach, Arvind Bharadwaj. However, it turned out to be an uphill journey for Ravi as he could not get any chance from UP, he decided to go back to his birthplace Kolkata and started playing second division cricket there. He went for Bengal Under-16 trials in 2019 but could not get past the TW3 test which is for the age verification by testing the bones.
Later, he played for Howrah Union and then Ballygunge United after which he was selected for Bengal Under-19. He started his training with coach Devang Gandhi, who is a former Indian opener and current Bengal U-19 head coach.
He played the Vinoo Mankad (U-19), where the selectors were supposed to keep a watchful eye for the meritorious players. According to the rumours, the selectors had the name of Debopratim Halder in their minds but Ravi caught their attention by grabbing 11 wickets in the tournament with an economy of 2.75. It earned him a spot in the Triangular series, Challenger’s Trophy, and also the Asia Cup.
Ravi Kumar holding Triangular Series Trophy
Ravi Kumar holding Asia Cup Trophy
Under-19 World Cup 2022
Ravi took his maiden wicket in the Under-19 world cup in a match against Ireland by dismissing its opening batsman Liam Doherty for 7 runs. He showed his accuracy by moving the ball both ways and delivering unplayable cutters in the quarterfinal match against Bangladesh. The Indian team lost the toss and had to chase. Ravi struck a wicket in his first over and took 3 wickets in total. With a brilliant performance of 7-1-14-3, he was declared the man of the match. While accepting the title of the man of the match, Ravi said,
The plan was simple – to bowl tight lines and create pressure. Preparation was nice during the last few days. We spent a lot of time together and prepared well.”
In the semi-final against Australia, Ravi continued the showcase of his skill and again struck a wicket in his first over. He took 2 wickets in 6 overs and gave 37 runs.
In the U-19 world cup final against England, left-arm seamer Ravi made England’s top order struggle by taking 2 wickets in the first 2 overs of his opening spell. He dismissed Jacob Bethell for lbw for an individual score of 2 runs in his first over and sent England’s skipper, Tom Prest for a duck back to the pavilion. By the end of his first spell, he stood at the glorious figures of 3-1-11-2. He took 4 wickets for 34 runs, playing a crucial role in the Indian team’s victory.
Ravi Kumar holding the U-19 world cup (2022) trophy
At the end of the tournament, Ravi Kumar’s stats showed 6 matches with an economy of 3.6 and an average of 13.2. He stood second in taking the most number of wickets in the tournament by taking 10 wickets after Vicky Ostwal with 12.
Jersey Number
#29 (India Under-19)
Domestic Team(s)
Controversy
In 2019, he went for Bengal Under-16 trials where he failed the TW3 test which is done for the verification of age with the help of testing the bones.
Facts/Trivia
- Intending to instil courage and motivation in the players, BCCI conducted an interactive video session with the former skipper of the Indian Cricket team and Run Machine Virat Kohli. During the session, Ravi asked Virat about his weaknesses. Virat replied,
क्यों अभी से आउट करने की ट्रेनिंग कर रहा है क्या ?”
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- According to Ravi Kumar’s coach, Devang Gandhi, there is a void for a left-arm pacer after the retirement of Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan in the Indian Cricket team which can be filled by Ravi. He welcomed the idea if the selectors decide upon inducting Ravi in the senior squad. He says,
Nothing gives any coach more satisfaction than seeing their wards make it to the elite level. That’s what as coaches we aspire for — to guide the talented boys in right direction.”
- According to Ravi Kumar’s coach, Devang Gandhi, there is a void for a left-arm pacer after the retirement of Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan in the Indian Cricket team which can be filled by Ravi. He welcomed the idea if the selectors decide upon inducting Ravi in the senior squad. He says,
- Ravi’s father is an assistant sub-inspector, who is posted in a CRPF camp in the Maoist-prone Rayagada district of Odisha. In 2006, while he was posted in militant hit areas of Srinagar, he got gravely injured in a grenade attack that killed one and injured 11 soldiers but he never let this news reach Ravi. He has no idea how his son started seriously playing cricket because of his posting in Jammu & Kashmir as he was always on the move during Ravi’s early days of training. On his son’s huge achievement, he says,
Hum goli chalake desh seva karte hai, aur beta ball daal ke,”