Vikram Malik

Ravi Bopara

Puppy Ravi Bopara or “Paapey” as he may better be referred to, considering that he is of Indian Sikh origin, has reposed the faith placed in him by the English selectors, very well. Apart from displaying his batting prowess, with some glorious innings right at the start of his international career, Bopara has come good as a medium pace bowler as well. With three test centuries to his credit, in only six appearances in the national test team, Bopara has made an indelible impression for himself as a quality test batsman, inside out. In the T20 format too, Bopara has displayed pugnacious tenacity. Although he has played only 5 matches for the English T20 side till date, he shone in the recently concluded IPL tournament held in South Africa, as a member of the Kings XI Punjab squad, fully justifying his USD 450,000 price tag. In the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore held at Kingsmead, Durban, on April 24, 2009, Bopara singlehandedly led his team from a difficult position to that of victory, with a swashbuckling 84, off just 59 deliveries. His efforts rightfully earned him the Man of the Match award. Bopara is continuing from where he left, in the T20 World Cup, with a well made 46 off just 34 balls in the inaugural match against Holland. Looks like Bopara has a glorious T20 career ahead of him!