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Ravi Bopara

Ravinder Bopara
Ravinder Bopara Image: Wikimedia Commons. Stephen Turner at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Ravinder Singh "Ravi" Bopara (born 4 May 1985) is an English cricketer who has represented the England national team across all three formats. Originally a top-order batsman, the steady development of his medium-pace bowling has shaped him into a batting all-rounder in the limited-overs game. He has played county cricket in England and has appeared in several major franchise Twenty20 leagues around the world.

Key facts

Full name Ravinder Singh Bopara
Date of birth 4 May 1985
Nationality English
Role Batting all-rounder; right-hand top-order batsman; right-arm medium-pace bowler
County team Northamptonshire (formerly Essex)
National team England
Major honour Member of the England squad that won the 2010 ICC World Twenty20

Background

Bopara established himself in English domestic cricket with Essex before moving to Northamptonshire. His progression from a specialist batsman into a useful seam-bowling all-rounder, particularly in one-day cricket, broadened his utility for both county and international sides.

International career

Bopara was first called up to the England One Day International team in 2007. He made his Test debut in Sri Lanka, but the introduction was a difficult one: a sequence of three consecutive ducks led to his being dropped from the side in early 2008.

He regained his Test place for a series against the West Indies in the winter of 2008–09. On his return, Bopara became the fifth batsman to score three consecutive Test centuries for England, marking one of the most notable achievements of his career. Despite this run of form, he struggled during the 2009 Ashes against Australia and was dropped for the final Test of that series.

In the shorter formats, Bopara was part of the England squad that won the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, England's first global limited-overs trophy.

Franchise Twenty20 career

Bopara has appeared in several leading Twenty20 leagues:

County captaincy

At the start of the 2016 season, Bopara took over the captaincy of the Essex one-day team, reflecting his senior standing within the county set-up at the time.

Timeline

  • 1985: Born on 4 May.
  • 2007: First called up to the England ODI team.
  • Early 2008: Dropped from the Test side after three consecutive ducks in Sri Lanka.
  • 2008–09: Returned to the Test team against the West Indies; scored three consecutive Test centuries.
  • 2009: Dropped for the final Test of the Ashes series after a difficult run of form.
  • 2010: Part of the England squad that won the ICC World Twenty20.
  • 2016: Took over as captain of the Essex one-day team.

Significance

Bopara is notable as one of a small group of England batsmen to have scored three consecutive Test centuries, and as a member of England's 2010 ICC World Twenty20-winning side. His extensive franchise career across Asia and Australia has also made him a recognisable figure in global Twenty20 cricket.

References