Praveen Kumar, born on October 2, 1986, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, is a former Indian cricketer renowned for his right-arm medium-fast bowling and exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways.

Cricketing Journey:

Praveen's domestic career began with Uttar Pradesh in 2005, where he quickly made a mark with his swing bowling. His impressive performances earned him a spot in the Indian national team, making his ODI debut against Pakistan on November 18, 2007. He was instrumental in India's victory in the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia, notably taking 4/46 in the second final against Australia.

He made his Test debut against the West Indies on June 20, 2011, and was India's leading wicket-taker during the England tour later that year, securing 27 wickets in six matches.

Fastest Deliveries:

While Praveen Kumar was not known for express pace, his fastest deliveries were around 130-135 km/h (approximately 81-84 mph). His success was primarily due to his mastery of swing and control rather than sheer speed.

Best Performances:

• International:
  In the 2008 CB Series in Australia, Praveen's swing bowling was pivotal, especially his 4/46 in the second final against Australia, contributing significantly to India's series win.

• Domestic:
  In first-class cricket, he achieved remarkable figures, including a best bowling performance of 8/68, showcasing his dominance in the domestic circuit.

Career Statistics:

• Test Matches:

  • Matches Played: 6
  • Wickets Taken: 27
  • Bowling Average: 25.81
  • Best Bowling Figures: 5/106

• One Day Internationals (ODIs):

  • Matches Played: 68
  • Wickets Taken: 77
  • Bowling Average: 36.02
  • Best Bowling Figures: 4/31

• Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):

  • Matches Played: 10
  • Wickets Taken: 8
  • Bowling Average: 24.12
  • Best Bowling Figures: 2/14

• First-Class (Domestic):

  • Matches Played: 66
  • Wickets Taken: 267
  • Bowling Average: 23.61
  • Best Bowling Figures: 8/68

• List A (Domestic One-Day):

  • Matches Played: 139
  • Wickets Taken: 185
  • Bowling Average: 28.84
  • Best Bowling Figures: 5/32

Retirement:

Praveen Kumar announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in October 2018, expressing a desire to become a bowling coach and pass on his experience to younger players.

Throughout his career, Praveen Kumar was celebrated for his exceptional swing bowling and his contributions to Indian cricket, both domestically and internationally.