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Modireddy Venkat 'Bobjee' Narasimha Rao, MBE pronunciation (help·info) (born 11 August 1954 in Secunderabad), is a former Indian cricketer who played in 4 Tests from 1978 to 1979. He was also a cricket coach.

M. V. Narasimha Rao
MBE

Personal information
Full name	Modireddy Venkat Narasimha Rao
Born	(1954-08-11) 11 August 1954 (age 68) Secunderabad, Hyderabad State, India
Nickname	Bobby Rao
Batting	Right-hand bat
Bowling	Legbreak
International information
National side	India
Test debut (cap 142)	29 December 1978 v West Indies
Last Test	26 October 1979 v Australia
Career statistics
Competition Tests First-class Matches 4 108 Runs scored 46 4845 Batting average 9.19 40.71 100s/50s -/- 9/30 Top score 20* 160* Balls bowled 463 13265 Wickets 3 245 Bowling average 75.66 28.05 5 wickets in innings - 15 10 wickets in match - 3 Best bowling 2/46 7/21 Catches/stumpings 8/- 111/-
Source:

Cricket career

He was picked to play against West Indies in 1978-79, but after two tests he was dropped. He was again brought back the following season for the series against Kim Hughes' Australian team, but again discarded after two Tests. In the 5th test against Australia at Eden Gardens, he played a crucial role in saving India from an imminent defeat. India required 247 to win on the last day and at one point was struggling with 4 wickets down for 123. Four key batsmen - Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Vishwanath and Chetan Chauhan were already back in the pavilion when Narasimha Rao provided a match saving partnership with Yashpal Sharma who scored an unbeaten 85. India ended up with a score of 200 for 4 to draw the Test.[1] This was the last Test match played by Narasimha Rao.

As an alert close in fielder, however he did well in picking up eight catches. In first class cricket his record was very impressive - 4124 runs (avg 47.40) and 218 wickets (avg 24.20).

Coaching career

Rao returned to competitive international cricket albeit as an assistant coach of the Ireland Cricket team for the 2011 ICC World Cup. In December 2012, Rao became the first Indian cricketer to be appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contribution for promoting the sport and also for community service through cricket during the testing times faced by the ethnic community in Northern Ireland. [2]

After Rao retired, he set up the St Johns Cricket Academy which produced many stars like VVS Laxman, Mithali Raj, Bavanaka Sandeep, Hanuma Vihari and Tarun Nethula.[3]

See also

• Rohan Gavaskar
• Yo Mahesh
• Arun Lal

References

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