Ramnaresh Sarwan

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Ramnaresh Sarwan

| image = Ramnaresh Sarwan.jpg

| caption = Ramnaresh Sarwan in 2024

| alt = Ramnaresh Sarwan

| fullname = Ramnaresh Ronnie Sarwan

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|6|23|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Wakenaam Island, Guyana

| nickname = Ramu

| heightft =

| heightinch =

| heightm =

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right arm leg break

| role = Batsman

| family =

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2000–2013

| country = West Indies

| testdebutdate = 18 May

| testdebutyear = 2000

| testdebutagainst = Pakistan

| testcap = 234

| lasttestdate = 28 June

| lasttestyear = 2011

| lasttestagainst = India

| odidebutdate = 20 July

| odidebutyear = 2000

| odidebutagainst = England

| odicap = 101

| lastodidate = 11 June

| lastodiyear = 2013

| lastodiagainst = India

| odishirt = 53

| T20Idebutdate = 11 September

| T20Idebutyear = 2007

| T20Idebutagainst = South Africa

| T20Icap = 20

| lastT20Idate = 20 May

| lastT20Iyear = 2010

| lastT20Iagainst = South Africa

| club1 = Guyana

| year1 = 1996–2014

| clubnumber1 =

| club2 = Gloucestershire

| year2 = 2005

| clubnumber2 =

| club3 = Kings XI Punjab

| year3 = 2008

| clubnumber3 =

| club4 = Leicestershire

| year4 = 2012–2014

| clubnumber4 = 53

| club5 = Guyana Amazon Warriors

| year5 = 2013–2014

| clubnumber5 =

| club6 = Trinbago Knight Riders

| year6 = 2016

| clubnumber6 = 53

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| column2 = ODI

| column3 = FC

| column4 = LA

| matches1 = 87

| matches2 = 181

| matches3 = 220

| matches4 = 265

| runs1 = 5,842

| runs2 = 5,804

| runs3 = 13,405

| runs4 = 8,488

| bat avg1 = 40.01

| bat avg2 = 42.67

| bat avg3 = 38.52

| bat avg4 = 40.61

| 100s/50s1 = 15/31

| 100s/50s2 = 5/38

| 100s/50s3 = 33/71

| 100s/50s4 = 11/50

| top score1 = 291

| top score2 = 120*

| top score3 = 291

| top score4 = 120*

| deliveries1 = 2,022

| deliveries2 = 581

| deliveries3 = 4,368

| deliveries4 = 1,130

| wickets1 = 23

| wickets2 = 16

| wickets3 = 56

| wickets4 = 35

| bowl avg1 = 50.56

| bowl avg2 = 36.62

| bowl avg3 = 41.98

| bowl avg4 = 28.60

| fivefor1 = 0

| fivefor2 = 0

| fivefor3 = 1

| fivefor4 = 1

| tenfor1 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling1 = 4/37

| best bowling2 = 3/31

| best bowling3 = 6/62

| best bowling4 = 5/10

| catches/stumpings1 = 53/–

| catches/stumpings2 = 45/–

| catches/stumpings3 = 155/–

| catches/stumpings4 = 68/–

| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/ramnaresh-sarwan-52969 ESPNcricinfo

| date = 3 December

| year = 2021

|medaltemplates={{MedalSport|Men's Cricket}}

{{MedalCountry|{{cr|West Indies}}}}

{{Medal|RU|2006 India|}}}}

Ramnaresh Ronnie Sarwan (born 23 June 1980) is a former Guyanese cricketer who played as a batsman. He is a former member and former captain of the West Indies cricket team, in all formats. Sarwan went on to average over 40 in both the test and one day international forms of cricket. He is considered to be one of the best West Indian batters of his generation. Sarwan was a member of the West Indies team that won the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, and was subsequently the player of the tournament.

He was named as captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2013 inaugural tournament of the Caribbean Premier League.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130706001512/http://cplt20.com/news/limacol-cpl-confirms-franchise-team-captains Franchise Team Captains] CPLT20 Sarwan also played for Guyana, Gloucestershire, Kings XI Punjab and Leicestershire in his cricketing career.

Youth career

Sarwan first became fond of cricket at primary school. He later became a member of the Georgetown Cricket Club, where he was mentored by the likes of Carl Hooper, Keith Semple and Roger Harper.{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Clifton |date=2016-09-16 |title=Sars calls it a day |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/09/16/sports/sars-calls-day/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Stabroek News |language=en-us}} Sarwan was a part of the Windies' squad for the 1998 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The Caribbean side eventually lost to Bangladesh in the plate final. With a sum of 16 dismissals, he was the highest wicket taker at the tournament, in a tie with Mluleki Nkala of Zimbabwe.{{Cite web |last=Ramphal |first=Vidia |date=2 January 2022 |title=West Indies U19s at the 1998 U19 Men's World Cup |url=https://tt.loopnews.com/content/west-indies-u19s-1998-u19-mens-world-cup |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Loop News |language=en}}

International career

=Rise in ranks=

Sarwan made his Test debut against Pakistan at Barbados in May 2000 – a match in which he was unbeaten in both innings including a first innings score of 84 not out.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-west-indies-2000-61492/west-indies-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-63881/full-scorecard|title=West Indies vs Pakistan 2nd Test Full Scorecard |work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-west-indies-2000-61492/west-indies-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-63881/match-report|title=West Indies v Pakistan: Bridgetown test, Statistical highlights|author=Gupta, Rajneesh|date=May 26, 2000 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} He missed scoring his maiden Test century against South Africa in March 2001 when he was run out for 91.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-west-indies-2000-01-61838/west-indies-vs-south-africa-1st-test-63925/match-report|title=Honours shared as First Test ends in draw|date=March 12, 2001 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} His score of 78 in the second Test against India at Chennai in October 2002 was his fifth innings of 75+ that was not converted into a century.{{cite web |title=Statsguru - Ramnaresh Sarwan - Test innings by innings list |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/52969.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 October 2023}} His maiden Test century came in his next Test series against Bangladesh at Dhaka.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/23186759/sarwan-makes-bangladesh-toil-maiden-test-ton|title=Sarwan makes Bangladesh toil with maiden Test ton|author=Kumar, Rajesh|date=9 December 2002 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} His next Test century came against Australia at St. John's in May 2003. As a part-time right arm leg-break bowler, Sarwan picked up his best test bowling figures, in June 2004, with 4 for 37 against Bangladesh.

In September of that year, the Windies went on to win the final of the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy against England with Sarwan being named as the player of the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/other_international/3682460.stm|title=West Indies lift home spirits|date=25 September 2004|publisher=BBC|website=bbc.com}}

With an investigation being led in 2004 by the International Cricket Council into most of the world's international-class bowlers, Sarwan was found to be the only bowler tested who did not transgress the Laws of Cricket regarding the straightening of the arm during delivery.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/12/sports/cricket-new-twist-on-bowling.html|title=CRICKET : New twist on bowling|author=Richards, Huw|date=12 November 2004|publisher=New York Times|website=nytimes.com}}

On 23 May 2006, Sarwan scored 115 not out in his hundredth one day international. This was the third game of a five match odi series played against India at the Warner Park Sporting Complex in Basseterre, St. Kitts.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/superb-sarwan-seals-the-deal-248164|title=Superb Sarwan seals the deal|author=Premachandran, Dileep|date=23 May 2006 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}

On 23 June 2006, on his 26th birthday, while playing against India Sarwan hit six fours in an over off Munaf Patel at St. Kitts' Warner Park Sporting Complex. In so doing he equalled the record of Sandeep Patil with six fours hit off Bob Willis from seven deliveries, Sanath Jayasuriya with six fours hit off James Anderson in six balls and Chris Gayle with six fours hit off Matthew Hoggard from six deliveries.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/how-sarwan-made-munaf-cry/story-Oa9zvF63wHOlsNCvAECqTO.html|title=How Sarwan made Munaf cry|author=Gupta, Rajneesh|date=24 June 2006|publisher=Hindustan Times|website=hindustantimes.com}}

Sarwan was dropped from the side for the second Test against Pakistan in November 2006. It was the first time in his six-year career that he had missed a game due to poor form. According to captain Brian Lara "It wasn't designed as a drop. We just wanted to make him aware of the situation and come back stronger. We need him and we need him to take control."{{cite web |last1=Samiuddin |first1=Osman |title=Lara diplomatic on Sarwan's chances |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lara-diplomatic-on-sarwan-s-chances-269606 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 October 2023 |date=24 November 2006}}

=Captaincy=

On 29 April 2007 it was announced that Sarwan was to succeed the retiring Brian Lara as captain of the West Indies following the side's exit from the 2007 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22952863/sarwan-handed-west-indies-captaincy|title=Sarwan confirmed as West Indies captaincy|access-date=29 April 2020|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=1 May 2007|publisher=ESPN Sports Media}}

During the second Test in the West Indies tour of England in May 2007, Sarwan injured his shoulder when he collided with a boundary fence while attempting to prevent a four. This shoulder injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tour and for a further ten months.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sarwan-pleased-with-strong-return-345403|title=Sarwan pleased with strong return|date=7 April 2008|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2007/0530/218432-westindies/|title=Windies must select sub captain|date=30 May 2007|work=RTÉ}}

=Post captaincy=

Sarwan returned to the West Indies side in 2008 for the home series against Sri Lanka, as vice-captain to Chris Gayle. Throughout the series Sarwan scored over 50 in four consecutive innings, including a match-winning century, at an average of 77.75. He was also named man of the series for his batting feats.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-31226?amp|title=Sarwan squares series|date=8 April 2008|publisher=Daily Star|website=thedailystar.net}}

In the subsequent 2008 Test series against Australia, Sarwan continued his fine batting form. With Sarwan scoring a half century and a matching saving 128 in the second Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/06/04/sports/sarwan-128-chanderpaul-77-not-out-guide-windies-to%E2%80%A6/|title=Sarwan, 128, Chanderpaul, 77 not out guide Windies to…|date=4 June 2008|publisher=Stabroek News|website=stabroeknews.com}} At the age 28 years, 228 days he became the youngest West Indian to reach the 5,000 runs milestone when he scored a century in the first Test of the 2009 home series against England at Sabina Park in Jamaica.{{cite news |last1=Atherton |first1=Mike |title=Stuart Broad’s double strike lifts spirits after Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan extend suffering |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/stuart-broads-double-strike-lifts-spirits-after-chris-gayle-and-ramnaresh-sarwan-extend-suffering-2bpmvs260gs |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=The Times |date=7 February 2009}} In scoring his 13th Test match century Sarwan equalled the record for the most centuries in the fourth innings – a record he shared until 2017 with Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting.{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;innings_number=4;orderby=hundreds;template=results;type=batting|title=Most 4th innings hundreds|access-date=29 April 2020|work=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Sports Media}} He went on to notch his highest test innings score, being 291 in the first innings of the fourth test of the said series played in March 2009 at Barbados' Kensington Oval. Sarwan's knock equalled the highest test innings of Vivian Richards which was also scored against England in 1976 at The Oval in South London.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/mar/02/sarwan-ramnaresh-selvey-england-west-indies-cricket|title=Stalwart Sarwan bats weary England into submission|author=Selvey, Mike|date=2 March 2009|publisher=The Guardian|website=theguardian.com}}

Image:Ramnaresh Sarwan graph.png

=Late career=

Sarwan did however lose his central contract due to poor fitness and indifferent form. West Indies coach Ottis Gibson stated that leaving Sarwan out was a tough decision but he will make many contributions to the West Indies in the future and that he needs time to regain his form. Therefore, he wasn't selected for the tour of Sri Lanka along with regular wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22508196/west-indies-news-dropping-ramnaresh-sarwan-was-tough-decision-ottis-gibson|title=Dropping Sarwan was tough decision - Gibson|access-date=29 April 2020|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=21 October 2010|publisher=ESPN Sports Media}}

He played his last international match as an ODI against India at The Oval on 11 June 2013.{{cite web |title=Player Profile: Ramnaresh Sarwan |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/ramnaresh-sarwan-52969 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 July 2024}} Sarwan announced his retirement from international cricket in September 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/17551736/former-west-indies-captain-ramnaresh-sarwan-retires-all-cricket|title=Sarwan set to retire from international cricket|access-date=29 April 2020|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 September 2016}}

Domestic career

In July 2005 Sarwan signed for English county cricket team Gloucestershire.{{cite web |date=9 July 2005 |title=Sarwan signs for Gloucestershire |url=https://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/23091281/sarwan-signs-gloucestershire |work=ESPNcricinfo}} He later joined Indian Premier League outfit Kings XI Punjab for their 2008 season.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Having fallen out of international favour, Sarwan went on to sign for English county side Leicestershire for the 2012 English season.{{cite web |date=10 February 2012 |title=Leicestershire sign Sarwan for 2012 season |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2012/content/story/552801.html |access-date=11 February 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} Sarwan had an impressive debut season in averaging 40.91 for the County Championship side. During December 2012 Sarwan was appointed Leicestershire's new skipper replacing former captain Matthew Hoggard.{{cite web |date=December 2012 |title=Ramnaresh Sarwan named Leicestershire skipper |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/20727745 |work=BBC Sport}}

Controversy

Sarwan was accused of corruption and match-fixing in 2011, but his charges were dismissed. West Indies cricket official Ernest Hilaire cited irresponsible reporting as the reason rumours spread that batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was under investigation for match-fixing.{{Cite web |date=2011-04-20 |title=Windies chief slams Sarwan corruption rumours |url=https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/windies-chief-slams-sarwan-corruption-rumours-119354 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.mid-day.com |language=en}} In 2020, Chris Gayle called Ramnaresh Sarwan 'worse than global pandemic'. However, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) decided to close controversial issue.{{Cite web |agency=PTI|date=May 16, 2020 |title=Chris Gayle "stands by his comments" against Ramnaresh Sarwan but CPL decides to close controversial issue {{!}} Cricket News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/spoken-from-the-heart-gayle-admits-damaging-sarwan-virus-comments/articleshow/75770738.cms |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-04-28 |title=Chris Gayle calls Ramnaresh Sarwan 'worse than global pandemic' |url=https://www.sportsadda.com/cricket/news/chris-gayle-says-ramnaresh-sarwan-worse-than-coronavirus |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=SportsAdda |language=en}}

Style of play

For much of his career, Sarwan wore a bandana under his helmet whilst batting but dropped the practice due to a change in the design of helmet.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Jack |date=29 May 2014 |title='I used to be the messiest player in the West Indies dressing room' |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ramnaresh-sarwan-i-used-to-be-the-messiest-player-in-the-west-indies-dressing-room-740909 |access-date=2023-03-03 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He shared the habit of his fellow countrymen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine of marking his guard with a bail.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Personal life

Sarwan was born in an Indo-Guyanese family to Kishan and Kumari Sarwan, as the eldest of their three children, in Wakenaam, an island in Guyana's Essequibo River.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Nasser |date=2009-09-01 |title=Ramnaresh Sarwan: a soft-spoken star |url=https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-99/ramnaresh-sarwan-soft-spoken-star |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Caribbean Beat |language=en-GB}} He later married Cindy Parsram as per Hindu rituals in 2013.{{Cite web |last=KNews |date=2013-12-22 |title=Cricket star Sarwan weds |url=https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/12/22/cricket-star-sarwan-weds/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Kaieteur News |language=en-US}} They have three children together.{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Cindy |date=2022-11-06 |title=‘Hitting sixes’ in a different arena |url=https://guyanachronicle.com/2022/11/06/hitting-sixes-in-a-different-arena/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Guyana Chronicle |language=en-US}}

Career best performances

as of 23 June 2013

class=wikitable style="font-size:90%"
\| ! colspan="4"\|Batting ! colspan="4"\|Bowling (innings)
!Score !Fixture !Venue !Season !Figures !Fixture !Venue !Season
Tests \| style="text-align:center;"\|291 \|West Indies v England \|Bridgetown \| style="text-align:center;"\|2009 \| style="text-align:center;"\|4–37 \|West Indies v Bangladesh \|Gros Islet \| style="text-align:center;"\|2004
ODI \| style="text-align:center;"\|120* \|West Indies v Zimbabwe \|Grenada \| style="text-align:center;"\|2013 \| style="text-align:center;"\|3–31 \|West Indies v New Zealand \|Lord's \| style="text-align:center;"\|2004
T20I \| style="text-align:center;"\|59 \|West Indies v England \|Port of Spain \| style="text-align:center;"\|2009 \| style="text-align:center;"\|2–10 \|West Indies v Bangladesh \|Johannesburg \| style="text-align:center;"\|2007
FC \| style="text-align:center;"\|291 \|West Indies v England \|Bridgetown \| style="text-align:center;"\|2009 \| style="text-align:center;"\|6–62 \|Guyana v Leeward Islands \|St. John's \| style="text-align:center;"\|2001
LA \| style="text-align:center;"\|120* \|West Indies v Zimbabwe \|Grenada \| style="text-align:center;"\|2013 \| style="text-align:center;"\|5–10 \|Guyana v Bermuda \|Essequibo \| style="text-align:center;"\|1998
T20 \| style="text-align:center;"\|70 \|Guyana v Southern Redbacks \|Johannesburg \| style="text-align:center;"\|2010 \| style="text-align:center;"\|2–10 \|West Indies v Bangladesh \|Johannesburg \| style="text-align:center;"\|2007

class=wikitable style="font-size:90%"

! colspan="4"|Batting

! colspan="4"|Bowling (innings)

!Score

!Fixture

!Venue

!Season

!Figures

!Fixture

!Venue

!Season

Tests