Full name Wandavasi Dorakanti Balaji Rao
Born March 4, 1978, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu
Current age 31 years 263 days
Major teams Canada, Railways, Tamil Nadu
Also known as Kutty
Batting style Left-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak googly
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 6.50 | 30 | 43.33 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 22* | 10.66 | 30 | 106.66 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| First-class | 33 | 39 | 14 | 276 | 27 | 11.04 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||
| List A | 28 | 12 | 3 | 107 | 39 | 11.88 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||||
| Twenty20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 22* | 10.66 | 30 | 106.66 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 2 | 2 | 60 | 81 | 2 | 2/50 | 2/50 | 40.50 | 8.10 | 30.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 4 | 4 | 84 | 107 | 6 | 3/21 | 3/21 | 17.83 | 7.64 | 14.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 33 | 6068 | 2884 | 94 | 5/47 | 30.68 | 2.85 | 64.5 | 4 | 0 | |||
| List A | 28 | 1224 | 967 | 32 | 4/44 | 4/44 | 30.21 | 4.74 | 38.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Twenty20 | 4 | 4 | 84 | 107 | 6 | 3/21 | 3/21 | 17.83 | 7.64 | 14.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI debut | Canada v West Indies at King City (NW), Aug 24, 2008 scorecard |
| Last ODI | Canada v Ireland at Benoni, Apr 6, 2009 scorecard |
| ODI statistics | |
| T20I debut | Canada v Pakistan at King City (NW), Oct 10, 2008 scorecard |
| Last T20I | Canada v Zimbabwe at King City (NW), Oct 13, 2008 scorecard |
| T20I statistics | |
| First-class span | 1994/95 - 2000/01 |
| List A debut | 1994/95 |
| Last List A | Canada v United Arab Emirates at Krugersdorp, Apr 15, 2009 scorecard |
| Twenty20 debut | Canada v Pakistan at King City (NW), Oct 10, 2008 scorecard |
| Last Twenty20 | Canada v Zimbabwe at King City (NW), Oct 13, 2008 scorecard |
The 2000-2001 season marked a revival of fortunes for WD Balaji Rao who made a precocious entry into first-class cricket before turning 17, only to disappear into the wilderness soon after. Playing for India Youth in January 1995 against an England A team which had six past or future Test players, he mopped up seven wickets. Just one day later, he was rushed into the Tamil Nadu side for a Ranji Trophy clash with Kerala. Part of the India Under-19s for four years, Rao toured England, Australia and Sri Lanka and played South Africa at home. After spending three seasons with Tamil Nadu, he accepted an offer to play for Railways in 1999-2000, but with little success.
Returning to Tamil Nadu next season, Rao collected 19 victims in the zonal league to become the leading strike bowler for his team. Rao has a lively action, a workmanlike trot being followed by a swift roll of the wrists quickly despatching the ball out of his fingers. His googly, which turns a fair way, is his main weapon and he believes this is because batsmen can't see his fingers at the point of delivery. A key member of the South Zone team which finished joint winners of the Deodhar Trophy in December 2000, Rao took four wickets to pull the rug from under holders North Zone in the semis. In the final, he showcased his abilities as a more than useful bat, slamming an unbeaten 31 off 20 balls to tie the game from an impossible position. He later migrated to Canada and qualified to play for the country, making his international debut against West Indies in August 2008.
- Sri Lanka made to sweat by Cheema (Oct 12, 2008)
Apr 3, 2009
Balaji Rao, player portrait
© International Cricket Council
Oct 10, 2008
Balaji Rao portrait 2008
© Eddie Norfolk
Feb 19, 2001
Mongia and Balaji Rao appeal in vain for leg before against Gillespie
© AFP
Jan 11 (10:30 local, 21:30 GMT)
Jan 12 (10:30 local, 21:30 GMT)
Jan 15 (10:30 local, 21:30 GMT)
Jan 16 (10:30 local, 21:30 GMT)
Jan 18 (10:30 local, 21:30 GMT)
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