Pranav Ragavendra Sets the Pace for India’s Future Fast-Bowling Hopes
Pranav Ragavendra, just 17 years old, has caught national attention by clocking a stunning 147.3 kmph during his training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Hailing from Chennai, the young pacer is now part of India’s Under-19 squad touring England at the end of June, where he’ll be tested in red-ball and white-ball formats in challenging English conditions.
Despite the hype around his speed, Pranav isn’t chasing the radar. His focus lies in sharpening his accuracy and building a foundation for sustainable, long-term performance. “I love speed, but I don’t want to be just about pace,” says Pranav, who is also deeply committed to fitness, recovery, and technique aspects that young pacers often overlook in their early years.
How Pranav Ragavendra Turned Childhood Loneliness into Sporting Grit
Not many know that Pranav Ragavendra didn’t initially dream of cricket. His early goal was to become a sprinter, running 100 metres in under 14 seconds before hitting his teens. But a moment of emotional struggle shifted his journey. After his younger brother was born, Pranav felt left out and withdrawn. Following a doctor’s advice, his parents encouraged him to join a team sport and that’s when he picked up cricket.
Once he discovered the red ball, there was no turning back. With a strong run-up and clean action, Pranav began shaping into a genuine fast bowler. At just 16, under the watchful eye of Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation, he was already clocking 139 kmph. Now, within a year, he has crossed 147 a feat rare even among senior bowlers.
He played two matches for Tamil Nadu in the last Ranji season and was included in the national Under-19 squad last week. On the England tour, he’ll play two Tests and five ODIs a crucial opportunity to showcase his control and adaptability on foreign pitches.
The Plan Behind Pranav Ragavendra’s Journey to 150 kmph and Beyond
While pace has earned him headlines, what truly sets Pranav Ragavendra apart is his maturity. Coaches at MRF and his current fitness team believe he’s capable of breaching 150 kmph in the near future. But that’s not the goal not yet.
“Speed is important, but without control, it’s wasted. Pranav knows this, and that’s rare for a boy his age,” says M Senthilnathan, head coach at MRF Pace Foundation. With a natural in-dipper and a solid base, Pranav has already mastered what many young quicks struggle with consistency.
Fitness coach Ramji Srinivasan, who worked with Team India for nearly a decade, has also taken a special interest in Pranav’s development. Learning from the injury-plagued careers of other young pacers like Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, and Umran Malik, Ramji is building a long-term athlete program tailored for Pranav’s age and body type.
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The plan is simple: build the base, strengthen the core, manage recovery strictly, and design a custom diet and training program. With this system in place, the hope is to not just create a fast bowler , but a complete athlete capable of playing at the highest level for years.
Conclusion:
Pranav Ragavendra isn’t just a teen with speed. he’s a symbol of discipline, patience, and potential. As Tamil Nadu and India watch closely, the journey from 147.3 kmph to elite international cricket now begins. With the right nurturing and protection, this young star could soon become a permanent fixture in Indian cricket’s future pace attack.
