Pradeep Rao

Pradeep Rao
Nationality: Sweden
Position: Allrounder
Date of Birth: 2001-01-01 Age: 24

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Pradeep Rao, born on 1st January 2001, in the cricket-loving town of Vadodara, has emerged as one of the most versatile allrounders to grace the cricket field in recent years. From the dusty lanes of his childhood, where he would play cricket with rubber balls and an old bat, to donning the jersey of his national team, Rao's journey is an inspiring tale of passion and persistence.

Having caught the eye of local coaches with his innate talent and cricketing acumen, Pradeep’s journey took a pivotal turn when he was drafted into the Gujarat U-16 team. Here, he quickly made a name for himself as a cricketer of unique calibre, excelling not just in batting but also possessing a keen knack for bowling that often bamboozled his young opponents. His professional debut came in 2018’s Ranji Trophy, a moment forever etched in his memory. Comfortable at both the crease and the bowling end, Rao brought an unmatched energy to the sport.

Pradeep's adaptable batting style and keen sense for the game have allowed him to play crucial innings across formats. Whether it's anchoring an innings under pressure or finishing with a flourish, Rao's presence has often been the decisive factor in turning matches. His bowling is equally noteworthy; equipped with versatile skills, Rao's ability to swing the ball both ways and vary his pace has made him a formidable opponent for many a batsman.

Major achievements have tumbled in since his debut. Rao was instrumental in Gujarat's astonishing win in the 2020-21 Ranji season, his allround performance being pivotal in the knockout stages. Matches against formidable teams like Mumbai and Delhi carved his reputation as a player for the big occasions. Perhaps, his stellar 85 not out in a tense semi-final against Mumbai remains one of his defining knocks, where his calm under fire helped steer Gujarat to a memorable victory.

The rivalry with Mumbai, in particular, has stood out — a contest that often brings out Rao's best. In both bat and ball, Pradeep Rao has been the author of some unforgettable chapters in this fierce interstate rivalry.

Pradeep Rao remains a cherished figure not just for his sporting prowess but for the infectious passion he brings to the field, a testimony to a talent that has only just begun to show its promise.