Even as India’s practice session here on Tuesday was buzzing with batsmen alternating between the pacers’ and the spinners’ nets, there was a diminutive figure firing away throw-downs with the Sidearm to Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane.
Raghavindraa, India’s designated assistant logistics manager, has earned his stripes with a different skill-set.
He is a much sought-after man in the Indian team thanks to his ability to unleash quality throw-downs. It was at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore that Raghavindraa became a go-to man for many Indian cricketers who were there for rehabilitation.
PotentialSachin Tendulkar was one of the earliest to have spotted his potential, and it was apparently on his insistence as well as that of Rahul Dravid — who had faced his throw-downs for more than a decade — that Raghavindraa was part of India’s tour of Australia in 2011-12.
It is said that Tendulkar, realising Raghavindraa’s utility, had flown him to Mumbai ahead of the Australian tour to help him prepare, and had handled all his expenses.
Raghavindraa had earlier managed to impress the team during India’s victorious 50-over World Cup campaign in 2011 when Gary Kirsten — the man who made throw-downs a popular exercise — was in charge as coach.
One of Raghavindraa’s specialities is swinging the plastic ball at pace.
He was recently with the team in England where skipper M.S. Dhoni, too, it is learnt, was appreciative of his work.
Baby-faced and shy, he continues to go about his job with little fuss.
