'I have to work on lot of aspects, including accuracy' - Pranav aims for precision after clocking 147 kph

The Tamil Nadu-born pacer R D Pranav Ragavendra has emerged as a promising young talent, clocking an impressive speed of 147.3 kph. The 17-year-old is set to feature in India’s U-19 tour of England at the end of June, recording the fastest delivery ever bowled by an Indian U-19 cricketer at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.

Pranav has expressed his desire to focus on more than just speed and aiming for precision in his bowling. For Indian pacers, breaking the 150 kph barrier has always been a significant milestone. In recent times, Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav have managed to achieve this feat. Pranav has shown immense potential, and it would not be surprising if he crosses the 150 kph mark during India’s U-19 tour of England. The tour will begin on June 27 which includes two Tests and five ODIs.

“I love speed and I want to bowl fast. It always feels great when you scare batsmen with bouncers and hit their gloves with the hard length. To continue doing it, I have to work on a lot of aspects, including accuracy, which is why I don’t keep an eye on the speed gun,” Pranav said as quoted by The Indian Express.

“To bowl fast, I need to ensure fitness remains my top priority and for that, I need to take care of myself by doing the right things. Be it skillset training or fitness drills or recovery… everything is non-negotiable if I have to be part of next year’s U-19 World Cup and beyond,” he added.

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We have to nurture and protect him: Senthilnathan

Pranav originally aspired to be a sprinter and eventually found his talent in fast bowling. In 2024, when he was 16 years old he hit speeds of 139 kph while training at the MRF Pace Foundation under the radar of legendary pacer Glenn McGrath. Pranav also earned a spot in the Tamil Nadu squad and played in two matches.

“Pace has always been his strength. When I first saw him, he was bowling in the early 130 (kmph), but now, in a span of just two years, he has been consistently bowling between 135-145 kmph. Speed comes naturally to him and right now, it is all about gaining control,” said M Senthilnathan, the head coach of MRF Pace Foundation.

“He is still in a developmental stage, so he may even add a few extra yards of pace. But for a boy of his age, he is already very quick. We have to nurture him and protect him. Speed shouldn’t become an obsession because what matters is control. The good thing is, even he understands it,” he added.

He is definitely a talent for the future: Ramji

The conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan, who was part of the Indian cricket setup has hopes for Pranav and calls him a future prospect for India. But, he emphasized the importance of protecting and nurturing his talent. He pointed out that fitness would be a crucial aspect of Pranav’s journey and stressed the need for a structured recovery plan to support his growth.

“Pranav is definitely a talent for the future, but the most important thing is that he has to be protected and nurtured so that he maximises his potential… We saw what Australia did with Pat Cummins. Similarly, we have put in place a long-term athlete development programme so that he peaks at the right time,” Ramji said.

“If you are bowling that quick, he needs to have a strong foundation. He is at his growth stage, so the core has to be built – including the base which will empower him. The mechanics of it have to be developed according to his need. A comprehensive diet plan and recovery plan will help him grow. We need to show patience for him to develop into an adult. Young athletes are not finished products. We shouldn’t repeat the same mistakes like we have done with others,” he concluded.