16 Facts about Vinay Kumar - The Davangere Express

Vinay Kumar is one of those pace bowlers who rely heavily on line, length, and variations rather than on sheer pace. Having played for the national team as well, R Vinay Kumar has been consistently influential for the Karnataka domestic side in the Ranji Trophy and is one of the leading performers of Indian domestic circuit. While you might think you know a lot about this pace gun from Karnataka, here are a few exciting facts about Vinay Kumar.

1. Born on:

Vinay Kumar was born on 12 February 1984 at Davangere in Karnataka.

2. Popularly known as:

Vinay Kumar is popularly known as the Davangere Express among his teammates. He is one of the most consistent bowlers in the Indian domestic circuit.

3. Education:

His primary education was from a government school in Davangere. He completed his graduation from A.R.G Arts and Commerce College in Davangere with a degree in Bachelor of Commerce.

4. Playing style:

His bowling has often been linked to the action of former Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad. He is not known for pace but for his outswingers. A simple run up and variations of leg cutters and accurate Yorkers make him a good death bowler.

5. First-class career and kick start to IPL:

Vinay made his debut for Karnataka against Bengal in 2004-05 Ranji season as a 20-year-old fast bowler. The first couple of seasons didn’t produce the best for him, but he ended up as the second highest wicket-taker in 2007-08 Ranji season with 40 scalps to his name at an average of 18.52. His performances earned him an IPL contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

6. Leading wicket-taker:

In the 2009-10 domestic season, he was the leading wicket-taker. It was his performances in this season that earned him his call-up in the national side. He was picked up for the ICC World T20 2010. He played one match in the tournament, taking two wickets for 30 runs from four overs in India’s five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka.

7. ODI debut:

After India’s exit from the T20 World Cup, Vinay Kumar retained his place in the side to make his ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Harare, in a match that India lost by 6 wickets. He picked up two wickets for 51, with his first ODI victim being Brendan Taylor.

8. Test debut:

Injuries plagued him after his international debut due to which he lost his place to Abhimanyu Mithun. He was recalled during India’s tour to Australia in 2011-12 during the third Test. He picked up just one wicket, that of Mike Hussey, and gave 73 runs.

9. More than a bowler:

While many might sideline Vinay Kumar as a bowler, no one can deny the fact that he is more than just handy with the bat. Having played 99 first-class matches, he has 2 centuries to his name to go with 8 half centuries. He has the top score of unbeaten 105 in Ranji Trophy.

10. Century in the finals:

During the finals of the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu, he struck his second Ranji century. In reply to Tamil Nadu’s paltry total of 134, Karnataka put on a mammoth 762, kudos to a triple ton by Karun Nair. But Vinay took some limelight too as he scored a patient 319-ball 105*, studded with 10 boundaries and 3 sixes. The Karnataka side notched up an outright win to lift the silverware.

11. Leading Karnataka to Ranji triumph twice:

R Vinay Kumar led from the front to take his side, Karnataka, to two consecutive Ranji Trophy wins in the 2013-14 and the 2014-15 seasons. While Karnataka defeated Maharashtra in the finals 2013-14 season, it was Tamil Nadu that faced defeat at the hands of the team in the finals of 2015-16 season. He was the team’s leading wicket taker with 29 wickets in the 2014-15 season. He also successfully led the side to two consecutive Irani Trophy victories.

12. Impressive Vijay Hazare outing:

In the 2015 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he came out and played some lovely cameos with the bat to go along with his 28 wickets, the most for his team. His impressive show earned him a contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

13. IPL career:

Being a domestic player for Karnataka, Vinay Kumar was in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the first 3 editions of the IPL. He was then picked up by the Kochi Tuskers Kerala for US$475,000 in the 2011 auctions. The team did not feature in any of the further editions of the tournament and was then traded back to the RCB for the next two seasons for USD 1 million before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders for 2.8 crores in 2014 and finally settling in Mumbai Indians in 2015.

14. Leading wicket-taker for RCB:

He was RCB’s leading wicket-taker for two consecutive seasons bagging 19 wickets in 2012 and 23 in IPL 2013.

15. Major teams:

Vinay Kumar is one of those players who have played for various IPL teams. He has represented 4 franchises in the IPL. Here are the list of teams that he has played for: Karnataka, Board Presidents XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, India, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, India A, South Zone, East Zone, India Blue, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Belagavi Panthers

16. Personal life:

Born in a well to do family, Vinay Kumar’s rise to fame has been a fairy tale. His father was an auto-driver. He had to face a lot of hardships to make it to professional cricket. He married his long-time Delhi based girlfriend Richa on 2 December 2013 at Bangalore.