SAGI LAKSHAMI VENKATAPATH RAJU (INDIAN)

Introduction:

Sagi Lakshmi Venkatapathy Raju (born 9 July 1969 in Andhra Pradesh) is a former Indian cricketer. His career starting into the Indian team in 1989-90 after capturing 32 wickets in the domestic season. He made his Test and ODI debut in the tour of New Zealand. When sent in as a night watchman in his first Test innings, he batted for more than two hours for 31 runs while six wickets fell at the other end. He was part of the Indian team in England in 1990, but the knuckle of his left hand was broken by Courtney Walsh in the match against Gloucestershire which ended his tour. Back home in India, he helped India win the one off Test against Sri Lanka in the only Test match played at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh. Venkatapathy Raju was a last minute selection on a wicket that afforded turn and kept low. On the second day, he ran through the Lankan middle order with a spell for 5 wickets for two runs in 39 balls. He took one more wicket on the next day to finish with 6 for 12 in 17.5 overs, four of the batsmen failed to score. His match figures of 8 for 37 in 53 overs won him the only man of the match award of his international career. He has played two world cups for India in 1992 and 1996.

He last played a Test match against Australia in Calcutta, where he captured the wicket of Mark Waugh. He continued playing for Hyderabad for many years, making the final of the 1999-2000 Ranji Trophy. He retired from first class cricket in December 2004.

Personal Life:

Venkatapathy Raju grew up in Hyderabad and attended a catholic convent boys school All Saints' High School in Hyderabad. Indian cricketers such as Mohammad Azharuddin and Noel David have also attended the same school.

Venkatapathy Raju is currently the vice president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association. Earlier, he was the selector for Indian Cricket Team from south zone during 2007-2008, when India won the ICC World T20 under Dhoni's captaincy.

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