Cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji Biography - Cricket Profile
- Full Name: Lakshmipathy Balaji
- Birth Date: 27 Sep, 1981
- Age: 36 years 305 days
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Bowling Style: Right-arm medium-fast
- Teams: India
Batting & Fielding Average
| Type | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 8 | 9 | 0 | 51 | 31 | 126 | 40.47 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| ODIs | 30 | 16 | 6 | 120 | 21* | 152 | 78.94 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| T20Is | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 106 | 115 | 16 | 1202 | 49* | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||||
| List A | 100 | 52 | 17 | 328 | 28* | 439 | 74.71 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | ||
| T20s | 104 | 20 | 9 | 54 | 15 | 62 | 87.09 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 0 |
Bowling Average
| Type | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 8 | 15 | 1756 | 1004 | 27 | 5/76 | 9/171 | 37.18 | 3.43 | 65.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| ODIs | 30 | 30 | 1447 | 1344 | 34 | 4/48 | 4/48 | 39.52 | 5.57 | 42.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 5 | 5 | 96 | 121 | 10 | 3/19 | 3/19 | 12.10 | 7.56 | 9.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 106 | 18299 | 8615 | 330 | 7/42 | 26.10 | 2.82 | 55.4 | 18 | 16 | 4 | ||
| List A | 100 | 5131 | 4257 | 145 | 5/36 | 5/36 | 29.35 | 4.97 | 35.3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
| T20s | 104 | 104 | 2161 | 2797 | 126 | 5/24 | 5/24 | 22.19 | 7.76 | 17.1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Biography of Lakshmipathy Balaji
Early Life
Lakshmipathy Balaji was born on September 27, 1981, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India. Growing up in a sports-oriented environment, he developed a keen interest in cricket from a young age. Balaji's cricketing journey began during his school days, where he showcased his talent with both bat and ball. His ability as a right-arm medium-fast bowler quickly caught the attention of local coaches and selectors.
Balaji honed his skills playing for his school and local clubs, eventually progressing to play in Tamil Nadu's domestic circuit. His performances in local tournaments set the foundation for his future career, leading him to earn a spot in the Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy team.
Domestic Career
Balaji made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in 1999, where he quickly established himself as a consistent wicket-taker. Over the years, he became known for his ability to swing the ball and maintain an impressive line and length. His domestic performances were instrumental in helping Tamil Nadu secure the Ranji Trophy title in 2002, where he played a critical role in the bowling attack.
In the 2004 season, Balaji's exceptional form in the domestic circuit caught the eye of national selectors. His performances in the Ranji Trophy not only showcased his bowling talent but also contributed significantly to his team's success.
International Debut
Balaji's consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him a place in the Indian national team. He made his ODI debut on April 15, 2003, against the Pakistan cricket team. His Test debut came later on December 12, 2003, against Australia in Adelaide, where he made a memorable impact by picking up crucial wickets in a challenging environment.
Key Milestones and Achievements
Balaji's career includes several key milestones which have defined his journey in international cricket:
- 2004 Tour of Australia: Balaji's performance during India's tour of Australia in 2004 was a highlight of his career. He played a crucial role in the famous Test win at the Gabba in Brisbane, becoming the first Indian bowler to take a wicket in the first over of an innings in Australia.
- ICC Champions Trophy 2002: He was part of the Indian squad that reached the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002. Although India ended up as joint winners with Sri Lanka, Balaji's performance was noteworthy during the tournament.
- Injury Comeback: After suffering from injuries that sidelined him for a significant period, Balaji made a commendable comeback, showcasing his resilience and determination to return to form.
Records and Statistics
Throughout his career, Lakshmipathy Balaji made significant contributions for India across all formats of the game. Below are his career statistics:
Test Career Statistics:
| Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 16 | 27 | 5/104 | 30.59 |
ODI Career Statistics:
| Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30 | 43 | 5/33 | 30.95 |
T20I Career Statistics:
| Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 11 | 3/22 | 20.45 |
Impact on the Game
Lakshmipathy Balaji's impact on Indian cricket extends beyond his statistics. He was known for his fiery attitude on the field and his ability to perform under pressure. Balaji's journey is a testament to the fact that dedication and perseverance can lead to success, even in the face of challenges such as injuries. His contributions helped shape the Indian bowling attack during the early 2000s and inspired a generation of bowlers to follow suit.
Through his performances, Balaji has earned respect both as a bowler and a role model in Indian cricket. To this day, he remains remembered for his pivotal roles in crucial matches, making him a significant figure in Indian cricket history.
Please Note: This content was generated with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT by OpenAI), and it is not reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and clarity.
