Ravi Kumar is an Indian cricketer who plays at Under-19 level. He is known for his left arm pacer style of bowling. He has been instrumental in leading the Indian Under-19 cricket team to win the 2022 world cup by playing the dual role of run-getter and wicket-keeper.
Wiki/Biography
Ravi Kumar was born on Wednesday, 29 October 2003 (age 18; in 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 got admission in Aligarh Jagdish Dutt Sharma Cricket Academy (JDSCA). He learned the nuances of cricket under the tutelage of his coach Arvind Bharadwaj.
Ravi Kumar in his hometown Aligarh
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 6′ 1″
Weight (approx): 60 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Rajinder Singh is an assistant sub-inspector, posted at a CRPF camp in Odisha’s Maoist-prone Rayagada district. He spent most of his life away from his family to serve the country in the militancy-ridden province of Srinagar. Not much is known about his mother. He has 2 siblings, an older sister and a younger brother.
Cricket
Ravi Kumar started playing cricket with a tennis ball in his childhood in Aligarh, UP. Later, he joined the Aligarh Jagdish Dutt Sharma Cricket Academy (JDSCA) and started his cricket training in earnest under his coach, Arvind Bharadwaj. However, it turned out to be a tough journey for Ravi as he didn’t get any opportunities from UP, he decided to return to his birthplace Kolkata and started playing second division cricket there. He sat the Bengal Under-16 test in 2019 but could not clear the TW3 test which is for age verification by testing 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 India opener and current Bengal U-19 head coach. According to rumours, the selectors had Debopratim Halder’s name in their minds but Ravi impressed them by taking 11 wickets in the tournament at an economy of 2.75. It earned him a place in the Triangular series, the Challenger Trophy, and even the Asia Cup.
Ravi Kumar holds the Triangle Series Trophy
Ravi Kumar holds the Asia Cup Trophy
2022 Under-19 World Cup
Ravi took his maiden wicket in the Under-19 world cup in the match against Ireland by dismissing his opening batsman Liam Doherty for 7 runs. He showed his accuracy by moving the ball both ways and delivering an unplayable cutter in the quarter-final against Bangladesh. The Indian team lost the toss and had to chase. Ravi took a wicket in his first over and took 3 overs in total. With a brilliant performance of 7-1-14-3, he was declared man of the match. On accepting the man of the match award, Ravi said,
The plan is simple – to create tight lines and create pressure. Preparations have been good in the last few days. We spent a lot of time together and prepared well.”
In the semi-final against Australia, Ravi continued his display of skill and once again took a wicket in his first match. He took 2 wickets in 6 overs and gave away 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 lbw for an individual score of 2 runs in his first match and sent England captain Tom Perst for a duck back to the pavilion. Towards the end of his first spell, he stood before the glorious figure of 3-1-11-2. He took 4 wickets for 34 runs, playing a vital role in the Indian team’s victory.
Ravi Kumar holds the U-19 world cup trophy (2022).
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 is the second highest wicket taker in the tournament with 10 wickets after Vicky Ostwal with 12.
This brilliant performance paved the way for him to earn a place in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy squad.
Jersey number
#29 (India Under-19)
Domestic Team
Controversy
In 2019, he appeared for the Bengal Under-16 trials where he failed the TW3 test which was done for age verification with the help of bone test.
Facts/Trivia
- Aiming to instill courage and motivation in the players, BCCI held an interactive video session with former Indian Cricket team captain and Run Machine Virat Kohli. During the session, Ravi asks Virat about his weaknesses. Virat replied,
Why are you going out for training?
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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 Ravi can fill. He welcomed the idea if the selectors decided to appoint Ravi in the senior squad. She spoke,
Nothing gives any coach more satisfaction than seeing their wards make it to the elite level. That’s what we want as coaches — to guide talented boys in the 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 Ravi can fill. He welcomed the idea if the selectors decided to appoint Ravi in the senior squad. She spoke,
- Ravi’s father is an assistant sub-inspector, posted at a CRPF camp in Odisha’s Maoist-prone Rayagada district. In 2006, while he was stationed in a militancy-hit area of Srinagar, he was seriously injured in a grenade attack that killed one and injured 11 soldiers but he never let the news reach Ravi. He doesn’t know how his son started playing cricket seriously because of his post in Jammu & Kashmir as he was always on the move during Ravi’s early training. Regarding his son’s great achievement, he said,
Hum goli chalake desh seva karte hai, aur beta ball daal ke,”
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
