Rajesh Lal

Rajesh Lal
Nationality: India
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Date of Birth: 1984-03-27 Age: 41

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Born on the 27th of March, 1984, in a small village in India's cricket-crazy heartland, Rajesh Lal's affinity with the sport began almost as soon as he could walk. He fashioned his first bat out of a discarded piece of wood, dreaming of emulating his childhood idols. Local lore speaks of countless hours young Rajesh spent on dusty pitches, refining his left-handed stroke play that would one day captivate the globe.

Rajesh's journey from those humble beginnings to the international circuit is a tale of perseverance and undeniable talent. His early displays of batting prowess for the state team soon caught the eye of national selectors, leading to his professional debut in 2005 against a formidable Australian side. Almost instantly, Rajesh's calm demeanour at the crease and his refined technique marked him as a player to watch.

Over the years, Lal established himself as a linchpin in the top order, renowned for his ability to anchor an innings while scoring at a brisk pace. His batting statistics are testament to his talent: over 8,000 runs in Test cricket and more in the shorter formats. A highlight of his career was the sensational 2011 World Cup campaign, wherein his masterful century in the semi-final against Pakistan etched his name into cricketing folklore. Another notable triumph came during the 2013 champion's trophy, where Lal's unbeaten knocks in the group stages provided the backbone for his team's eventual victory.

Renowned for his left-hand batting elegance, Rajesh paired this with a versatile bowling skill set. Though not primarily known for his bowling, his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs could never be underestimated. This versatility added an extra dimension to his game, making him a potent asset in tight matches.

His career, however, wasn't without controversy. His rivalry with Sri Lanka's ace bowler, Mallika Perera, is part of cricketing legend. Their contests were fiery spectacles of the sport, each seeking to outdo the other, adding intrigue to every fixture between their teams.

Perhaps the most poignant moment in Lal's career came during the 2015 series against South Africa when he reached the coveted landmark of 10,000 international runs. Cutting a confused but celebratory figure, this was a reminder of his enduring impact on the game—a journey started under the sunlit skies of his village and carved out in the sprawling stadiums of the cricketing world.