- published: 07 Aug 2015
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Ravinder Singh "Ravi" Bopara (born 4 May 1985) is an English cricketer who plays for Essex and England. Originally a top-order batsman, but with his developing medium pace bowling, he is becoming a vital all-rounder and has the best bowling figures for England in a Twenty20 International. Bopara has also played for the Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League.
Bopara was first called up to the England One Day International team in 2007, before a difficult Test debut in Sri Lanka saw him dropped in early 2008 after a string of three ducks. He regained his place for a Test against the West Indies in the winter of 2008-09; on his return to the side, Bopara became the fifth batsman to score three consecutive Test centuries for England. Despite this success, during the 2009 Ashes Bopara struggled and was dropped for the final Test of the series.
Educated at Brampton Manor School, Bopara made his first-class debut for Essex in May 2002. In 2003 and 2004, he played several matches for England U-19s, including in the 2004 U-19 Cricket World Cup.