R. Vinay Kumar Biography: Life Story, Career, Records, Family & Achievements
Introduction
Ranganath Vinay Kumar, popularly known as the “Davangere Express”, is a former Indian fast-medium bowler renowned for his accuracy, swing, and leadership in domestic cricket. A stalwart of Karnataka cricket, he captained his state team to multiple Ranji Trophy victories and represented India in all three formats. In the IPL, he was a consistent performer and featured in championship-winning sides.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Ranganath Vinay Kumar
- Date of Birth: 12 February 1984
- Birthplace: Davangere, Karnataka, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 70 kg
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
Early Life & Family Background
Vinay Kumar was born in Davangere, Karnataka. He was passionate about cricket from a young age and played tennis-ball cricket before joining professional coaching. His rise through Karnataka cricket was steady, fueled by his hard work and persistence.
Domestic Career
- Represented Karnataka in Ranji Trophy for over a decade.
- Captained Karnataka to Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Irani Cup titles in 2013–14 and 2014–15.
- Amassed more than 500 first-class wickets in his career.
International Career
Debut Matches
- ODI Debut: 5 April 2010 vs Sri Lanka.
- Test Debut: 13 January 2012 vs Australia.
- T20I Debut: 11 May 2010 vs Sri Lanka.
Career Overview
- Represented India in 1 Test, 31 ODIs, and 9 T20Is, picking up 49 international wickets.
- Known for his discipline with the ball and ability to break partnerships.
IPL Career
- Played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Mumbai Indians.
- Part of KKR’s IPL-winning squad in 2014 and MI’s title-winning squad in 2015.
Records & Achievements
- Over 500 wickets in first-class cricket.
- Captained Karnataka during their golden domestic era.
- Winner of multiple Ranji Trophy titles as captain.
- Arjuna Award nominee for contributions to Indian cricket.
Retirement
Vinay Kumar announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in February 2021, closing a two-decade-long career filled with domestic dominance and cherished memories.
Personal Life
Vinay Kumar married Richa Singh, a former handball national player, in 2013.
Legacy
Vinay Kumar will always be remembered as Karnataka’s bowling spearhead and a domestic giant who brought glory to his state team. Though his international career was brief, his leadership and consistency at the domestic level inspired a generation of Karnataka cricketers.
FAQs
Q1: Why is Vinay Kumar called the “Davangere Express”?
Because of his origin from Davangere, Karnataka, and his pace-bowling skills that earned him the nickname.
Q2: How many wickets did Vinay Kumar take in international cricket?
He took 49 wickets across formats – 38 in ODIs, 10 in T20Is, and 1 in Tests.
Q3: Did Vinay Kumar win the IPL?
Yes, he was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (2014) and Mumbai Indians (2015) title-winning squads.
Q4: What was Vinay Kumar’s role in domestic cricket?
He captained Karnataka to Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare, and Irani Cup titles during 2013–14 and 2014–15.
Q5: When did Vinay Kumar retire from cricket?
He announced his retirement from all formats in February 2021.
