Stuart Terence Roger Binny is a celebrated cricketer from India known for his hard-hitting batting and medium-paced swing and seam bowling. Born on June 3, 1984, Binny is the son of Roger Binny, a former Indian cricketer who was a part of the iconic 1983 World Cup-winning team.
Binny initially faced difficulties in establishing himself in the Karnataka line-up and sought an opportunity in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007. During his two seasons in the unsanctioned tournament, he showcased his talent as an exceptional all-rounder, playing for Hyderabad Heroes and India XI. However, Binny accepted the amnesty offer from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), bidding adieu to the ICL.
Upon his return to the Karnataka squad, Binny proved to be an invaluable addition. He consistently contributed runs in crucial situations and effectively broke partnerships with his bowling skills. In recognition of his outstanding performances, he was selected for the India A squad’s tour of South Africa in 2013. That same year, Binny received a national call-up and made his debut for the Indian ODI squad during their tour of New Zealand.
During the 2013-14 domestic season, Binny played a pivotal role in Karnataka’s victorious campaign in the Ranji Trophy. He scored 443 runs at an impressive average of 43.22 and took 14 wickets at 32.64. However, Binny’s breakthrough moment came during an ODI against Bangladesh in 2014 when he recorded remarkable figures of 6 for 4. This outstanding performance set the record for the best figures by an Indian bowler in ODIs.
In a surprising turn of events, Binny was included in the Indian squad for the five-Test series in England later that year. Although he struggled to make an impact with the ball, he displayed resilience and composure during India’s second innings of the first Test, helping save the match with a crucial innings of 78. Binny’s contributions waned in subsequent Tests, and he was ultimately left out of the team for the third and fourth matches. In the final Test at The Oval, he went wicketless once again but remained unbeaten on 25 when India collapsed to a meager total of 94 runs.
While Binny’s chances in Test matches became limited, he continued to be a regular member of the Indian ODI squad. Despite being selected for the 2015 World Cup, he did not receive any playing time. In 2015, during the Test series against Sri Lanka, Binny’s bowling performance played a vital role in India securing a series win. Later that year, he was chosen to play the second Test against South Africa at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, his home ground. Unfortunately, rain affected the match, restricting his contribution to only three overs.
Binny has also made significant contributions in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He represented the Rajasthan Royals from 2011 to 2015 and was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 2 crore following the suspension of the Rajasthan franchise ahead of the 2016 season.
With numerous achievements and an impressive career spanning domestic and international cricket, Stuart Binny has proven himself as a talented all-rounder from India. His ability with the bat and ball, as well as his commitment and determination, continue to make him one of the valuable assets in Indian cricket.
