Vinay Kumar

Ranganath Vinay Kumar can be described as the most reliable cricket player after retirement of a talented quartet, i.e. David Johnson, Dodda Ganesh, Venkatesh Prasad, and Javagal Srinath. He was signed by Bangalore Royal Challengers in 2008. Vinay is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium pace bowler and has been selected by the team of Royal Challengers Bangalore to play for IPL 5 season 2012.

As far as First-Class cricket is concerned, he had to undergo a lengthy apprenticeship after getting selected in 2004-2005 (to play for Karnataka). The latest First-Class match played by R Vinay Kumar was the one played between South Zone and North Zone from 29th of January, 2009 at Rajkot. South Zone had obtained victory by 411 runs. R Vinay Kumar, representing South Zone had made 29 runs in the first innings. 2007-08 had proved to be the best year in terms of Ranji trophy; as Vinay had emerged out as the 2nd-highest wicket taker (40 wickets). But in 2009-10 he improved even on this and became the highest Wicket taker for the season.

Good performances in the domestic circuit won Vinay Kumar a place into the National side in the ODIs against Zimbabwe where he made his debut and also in the 15 member squad for Twenty20 World Cup 2010.

In the IPL match played against Mumbai Indians on 28th of May, 2008, Vinay could make 23 runs in 17 balls, which included 2 boundaries and a sixer. His performances with the bat shows a good prospect of him turning into a good all rounder for the Indian Team. Kochi Tuskers Kerala team have bought him to play for IPL 2011. Here he will get a better opportunity to portray his all round skills with the ball as well as with the bat.

=== Career Highlights ===

Vinay was named as the Domestic Bowler of the Year 2007-08. Vinay has played 67 First-Class matches till date. 1240 runs have been made by him; with 57 being the highest score. He has also picked up 242 wickets. In the 22 ODIs he has played he has managed to take 28 wickets.