As most athletes would tell you, the support staff is as important as any other player in a team. No team celebration takes place without players appreciating the members of their team’s support staff.

Similarly, Raghu Raghavendra, the throwdown specialist who has been around the Indian team for as long as Virat Kohli has been there.

Let us now discuss one of the underrated cogs of the successful Indian side. Read more and see who Raghu is here.

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Who is Raghu Raghavendra?

Raghu hails from Kumta in Karnataka and first made his name around the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) after unfortunately having to give up on his dream of playing the sport as a bowler. He had appeared for state trials in Hubli previously as well.

He went on to coach the Karnataka Ranji team for a good 3-4 seasons without getting paid. He was touted by coach Tilak Naidu who then introduced Raghu to Javagal Srinath who helped him get this gig with the Karnataka side.

After working with the KSCA for 3-4 years, he got associated with BCCI in 2008 before taking up his current full-time job as the throwdown specialist in 2011. He can bowl at 150 km/h and to the batters face fierce conditions.

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As narrated by former player and ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri, some players would not like to face such spicy bowling but that would pump Raghu up more to bowl more of these, testing out and helping the batter.

Virat has also said that anything they face outside the nets is always easier than what this short guy most of you would go on to see around the boundary lines, talking to and helping the players in every way possible.

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