Venugopal Rao (cricketer)

Yalaka Venugopal Rao pronunciation  (born 26 February 1982) is an Indian former cricketer.[1] He played as a right-handed middle order batsman and right arm off-break bowler. He was the first Indian "super sub" in One Day International (ODI) cricket.[2] He played large part of his career for his home Andhra Pradesh in first class cricket and then went on to play for India between 2005-06. He also opened the batting for India in a one-day series in Zimbabwe. He has a brother Gnaneshwara Rao who has played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala in IPL. He also played for Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat between 2007 and 2015 and in between came back to play for Andhra between 2009 and 2012 and came back again for a single match in 2017 season.[3]

Venugopal Rao
Personal information
Full nameYalaka Venugopal Rao
Born (1982-02-26) 26 February 1982
Visakhapatnam, India
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight arm off spin
RoleBatsman
RelationsGnaneshwara Rao (brother)
International information
National side
ODI debut (cap 160)30 July 2005 v Sri Lanka
Last ODI23 May 2006 v West Indies
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1998–2007, 2009-2012, 2017Andhra
2007–2008Maharashtra (India Domestic)
2008–2009Rajasthan (India Domestic)
2012–2015Gujarat (India Domestic)
2008–2010Deccan Chargers (IPL)
2011–2013Delhi Daredevils (IPL)
2014Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL)
Career statistics
Competition ODI FC LA T20
Matches 16 121 137 83
Runs scored 218 7,081 4,110 1,390
Batting average 24.22 40.93 38.77 23.55
100s/50s 0/1 17/30 11/25 0/7
Top score 61* 228* 115* 71*
Balls bowled 0 5,232 3,043 306
Wickets – 66 53 8
Bowling average – 37.15 46.73 56.00
5 wickets in innings – 0 1 0
10 wickets in match n/a 0 n/a n/a
Best bowling – 4/34 5/20 2/23
Catches/stumpings 6/– 89/– 45/– 17/–
Source: Cricinfo, 15 April 2018

International career

Venugopal Rao started his career playing for Andhra Pradesh in domestic matches and impressed Indian selectors with a First-class average of over 50 and List-A average of around 40. This included one innings in the Ranji Trophy for South Zone where he scored 223 against a touring England A team which included Test bowlers such as Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff.

He consequently earned a call up to the national side for the 2005 Indian Oil Cup in July 2005, after captain Sourav Ganguly was dropped from the team.[4] He made sporadic appearances throughout the Indian 2005/06 season, mostly when other players were being rested under a rotation policy. He was unable to establish a position in the team, and did not play any further ODIs after May 2006. His poor domestic form further lead him to out of contention for national team.[5]

Indian Premier League

Rao was selected into the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League in 2008. He was part of their successful 2009 campaign. He was bought by Delhi for 70 lakh INR for IPL 2011.[6] For IPL 2014, he was purchased by Sunrisers Hyderabad for 55 lakh INR but was released after the season.[7][8]

References
  1. "They used to laugh when someone from Andhra wanted to play for India - Venugopal Rao revels in retirement". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  2. "2nd Match, Videocon Triangular Series at Bulawayo, Aug 26 2005". ESPNcricinfo. 26 August 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  3. "ACA officials 'cold-shoulder' Venugopal Rao". TimesofIndia. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  4. "India's new faces delighted at selection". ESPNcricinfo. 19 July 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  5. "Venugopal Rao ends six-year drought". ESPNcricinfo. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  6. "IPL 2011 auction". ESPNcricinfo. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  7. "IPL 2014 auction". ESPNcricinfo. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  8. "Complete list of players released by IPL teams and the budget available". ESPNcricinfo. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
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