Name Hindi: रघुराम भट्ट / Gender Man
About Raghuram Bhat
Raghuram Bhat is a former Indian cricketer, known for his effective spin bowling. Primarily a left-arm orthodox spinner, he hailed from the state of Karnataka and had an eventful career in First-Class cricket that spanned over 15 years from 1979 to 1994. Although his international career was brief, his performances on domestic grounds were remarkable.
Early life and Career Entrées:
Raghuram began playing cricket at a young age and excelled through the ranks swiftly due to his innate talent. He made his debut in Ranji Trophy for Karnataka during the 198-81 season and immediately established himself as a key player.
- In the first match itself against Kerala, he took four wickets thus opening up his account superbly.
- The following year was quite successful for him when he got 36 wickets in seven matches with best figures of 7/76.
- Over the next few seasons, Bhat proved himself as one of the most dependable bowlers in domestic cricket with consistent performance.
International Career:
Bhat’s strong showing caught the eyes of national selectors leading to his Test debut in December 1982 against England where, though not spectacularly successful; he managed to take substantial scalps including those of Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting.
However, despite demonstrating potential on several occasions, Bhat couldn’t cement his place in the national team. He played only two test matches and failed to make into One Day International (ODI) format.
Career Statistics:
Throughout his First-class career, he took 365 wickets at an average of 26.59 in the 88 matches he played.
- His best bowling figures were an exceptional 8/123.
- The most notable performance was his role in Karnataka’s win during the 1982-83 Ranji season where he picked up 36 wickets in seven games.
Post-Cricket Career:
Towards the twilight of his career, Bhat transitioned to coaching and administration.
- He went on to become a cricket coach at Bangalore’s National Cricket Academy after retiring from professional cricket playing.
- Currently, amongst others, Raghuram Bhat is noted for his contribution towards nurturing emerging talents in Indian cricket through this academy.
To conclude, though less recognized at international level, Raghuram Bhat has indelibly left his mark on Indian domestic cricket. His talented spins and intensive understanding of the game gave him a compelling place in sport’s annals and subsequently allowing him to mentor future generations.
