ImportMaster at 09:48, 26 August 2022

2022-08-26T09:48:08Z

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{{short description|New Zealand cricketer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Jeet Raval
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Jeet Ashok Raval
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|9|22|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], India
| heightm = 1.86
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = Right-arm [[leg break]]
| role = [[Batting order (cricket)#Opening batters|Opening batsman]]
| international = yes
| internationalspan = 2016–present
| country = New Zealand

| testcap = 271
| testdebutagainst = Pakistan
| testdebutdate = 17 November
| testdebutyear = 2016
| lasttestdate = 5 January
| lasttestyear = 2020
| lasttestagainst = Australia

| club1 = [[Auckland Aces|Auckland]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|2008–2020}}
| club2 = [[Central Districts Stags|Central Districts]]
| year2 = 2012/13
| club3 = [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]]
| year3 = 2018
| columns = 4
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| column2 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| column3 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| column4 = [[Twenty20|T20]]
| matches1 = 24
| matches2 = 132
| matches3 = 71
| matches4 = 47
| runs1 = 1,143
| runs2 = 8,323
| runs3 = 2,181
| runs4 = 954
| bat avg1 = 30.07
| bat avg2 = 37.66
| bat avg3 = 30.71
| bat avg4 = 21.68
| 100s/50s1 = 1/7
| 100s/50s2 = 18/38
| 100s/50s3 = 4/10
| 100s/50s4 = 0/5
| top score1 = 132
| top score2 = 256
| top score3 = 149
| top score4 = 70
| deliveries1 = 84
| deliveries2 = 1,678
| deliveries3 = 150
| deliveries4 = –
| wickets1 = 1
| wickets2 = 24
| wickets3 = 5
| wickets4 = –
| bowl avg1 = 34.00
| bowl avg2 = 47.41
| bowl avg3 = 27.80
| bowl avg4 = –
| fivefor1 = 0
| fivefor2 = 0
| fivefor3 = 0
| fivefor4 = –
| tenfor1 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| tenfor4 = –
| best bowling1 = 1/33
| best bowling2 = 2/10
| best bowling3 = 2/6
| best bowling4 = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 21/–
| catches/stumpings2 = 141/–
| catches/stumpings3 = 44/–
| catches/stumpings4 = 24/–
| date = 26 August 2022
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/277914.html Cricinfo
}}

'''Jeet Ashok Raval''' (born 22 September 1988) is a [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]] [[cricketer]]. Raval is an opening batsman, who plays for [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] internationally and [[Northern Districts men's cricket team|Northern Districts]] domestically. Originally from [[Ahmedabad]] in India, Raval played cricket for [[New Zealand national under-19 cricket team|New Zealand's under-19 team]] and then spent eight years playing first-class cricket as an opening batsman for Auckland and [[Central Districts cricket team|Central Districts]] before being selected to play [[Test cricket]] for New Zealand for the first time in 2016. Raval initially struggled for form and it took 17 Test matches and 7 half-centuries before he scored his maiden Test century against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]].

==Early life and youth cricket==
Raval was born and raised in [[Ahmedabad]] in India, where he grew up playing cricket in his backyard with his cousins,<ref name=iwk>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianweekender.co.nz/Pages/ArticleDetails/35/7345/Face-of-the-Week/Jeet-wins-hearts-with-the-bat|title=Jeet wins hearts with the bat|last=Sharma|first=Shwati|date=8 December 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Indian Weekender}}</ref> ultimately being successful enough at the sport to represent the state of [[Gujarat]] at under-15 and under-17 level.<ref name=dna>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-jeet-raval-the-rahul-dravid-of-auckland-2069114|title=Jeet Raval: The 'Rahul Dravid' of Auckland|last=Abraham|first=Derek|date=16 March 2015|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> Raval began as a medium-pace bowler in his first match for Gujarat, but after scoring more than 20 runs batting down the order and almost saving a match for the team, his coach asked him to bat higher up the order in the next match, and he scored a century. From then on, Raval focused on his batting.<ref name=iwk/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/120/120133.html|title=Mumbai Under-15s v Gujarat Under-15s in 2002/03|access-date=22 August 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/120/120137.html|title=Gujarat Under-15s v Baroda Under-15s in 2002/03|access-date=22 August 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

When Raval was 16, his family moved to [[Auckland]] in New Zealand. Raval initially struggled to adjust to the language and culture. He tried to get a job at a [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]] but was unable to because he didn't understand what a [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] was.<ref name=cricinfo>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/19009490/firdose-moonda-jeet-raval-journey-opening-new-zealand|title=The making of a Kiwi|last=Moonda|first=Firdose|date=27 March 2017|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> His father started working at a petrol station, where by chance he met Kit Perera, the Sri Lankan-born cricket coach of the [[New Lynn|Suburbs New Lynn]] Cricket Club.<ref name=cricinfo/> Raval started playing cricket for this club as well as his school, [[Avondale College, Auckland|Avondale College]], in late 2004.<ref name=iwk/><ref name=dna/> He played well and was selected for Auckland's under-17s team, then in later years their under-19s team.<ref name=iwk/> This led to his selection in [[New Zealand national under-19 cricket team|New Zealand's national under-19 team]], where he was mentored by former international cricketer [[Dipak Patel (cricketer, born 1958)|Dipak Patel]].<ref name=dna/> At the time he had not lived in New Zealand long enough to represent the country in international cricket, restricting him to their under-19 team.<ref name=iwk/>

Raval played for New Zealand Under-19s in both a youth Test series and a youth ODI series against [[India national under-19 cricket team|India]]. In the third Test match he scored 70 and 89 in the two innings, finishing as New Zealand's second-highest run scorer for the series.<ref name=cricinfo/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14457/scorecard/277226/new-zealand-under-19s-vs-india-under-19s-3rd-youth-test-india-under-19s-tour-of-new-zealand-2006-07|title=Full Scorecard of New Zealand Under-19s vs India Under-19s 3rd Youth Test 2007 - Score Report|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=3052;team=2611;type=series|title=India Under-19s in New Zealand Youth Test Series, 2006/07 - New Zealand Under-19s Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> It was during this series that Raval fully identified with the culture of New Zealand cricket and saw a future for himself playing for New Zealand rather than for India.<ref name=cricinfo/> Raval did not fare as well in the ODIs, only scoring 9 runs in two matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=3053;team=2611;type=series|title=India Under-19s in New Zealand Youth ODI Series, 2006/07 - New Zealand Under-19s Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

==Domestic career==
Raval made his [[first-class cricket]] debut for [[Auckland cricket team|Auckland]] in December 2008 during a tour match against the [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13805/scorecard/366704/auckland-vs-west-indians-tour-match-west-indies-tour-of-new-zealand-2008-09|title=Full Scorecard of Auckland vs West Indians Tour Match 2008 - Score Report|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Later that season, in March 2009, he played his first matches for Auckland in the [[Plunket Shield|State Championship]] (now known as the Plunket Shield), New Zealand's first-class domestic championship. In just his second full first-class match he made a double-century, scoring 256 runs over 10 hours, the equal third-highest score ever for Auckland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cricket/cricket-youngsters-give-nzs-frazzled-fans-reason-hope|title=Cricket: Youngsters give NZ's frazzled fans reason to hope|last=Seconi|first=Adrian|date=9 April 2009|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Otago Daily Times}}</ref>{{efn|This was the third first-class match in which Raval had taken to the field,<ref name=fcm/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13805/scorecard/366704/auckland-vs-west-indians-tour-match-west-indies-tour-of-new-zealand-2008-09|title=Full Scorecard of Auckland vs West Indians Tour Match 2008 - Score Report|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref name=replacement>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8873/scorecard/371870/otago-vs-auckland-state-championship-2008-09|title=Full Scorecard of Otago vs Auckland, State Championship, 2nd Innings - Score Report|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8873/scorecard/371876/auckland-vs-central-districts-state-championship-2008-09|title=Full Scorecard of Auckland vs Central Districts, State Championship, 2nd Innings - Score Report|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> but in the second match he only played as a replacement player for [[Tim McIntosh (cricketer)|Tim McIntosh]] for the last two days and did not bat.<ref name=replacement/>}} He earned his first contract with Auckland for the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/2604784/New-Wellington-cricket-signings-please-coach|title=New Wellington cricket signings please coach|last=Millmow|first=Jonathan|date=29 July 2009|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

For the next eight seasons, Raval played first-class cricket for Auckland (aside from one season playing for [[Central Districts cricket team|Central Districts]]).<ref name=fcm>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/159/159050/First-Class_Matches.html|title=First-Class Matches played by Jeet Raval|access-date=22 August 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}</ref> By 2015, he had scored more than 3,500 runs in 54 first-class matches and had consistently averaged above 40 in almost every season.<ref name=dna/><ref name=cricprofile>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/277914.html|title=Jeet Raval - Check Raval's News, Career, Age, Rankings, Stats|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> His 2015–16 season was especially prolific, as he scored 1016 runs at an average of 59.76 in 10 first-class matches and Auckland won the Plunket Shield, earning him the attention of New Zealand's national selectors.<ref name=cricprofile/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/159/159050/f_Batting_by_Season.html|title=First-class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by Jeet Raval|access-date=22 August 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In June 2020, he was offered a contract by Northern Districts ahead of the 2020–21 domestic cricket season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29312525/daryl-mitchell,-jeet-raval-finn-allen-major-domestic-moves |title=Daryl Mitchell, Jeet Raval and Finn Allen among major domestic movers in New Zealand |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/121831138/auckland-lose-jeet-raval-to-northern-districts-finn-allen-to-wellington-in-domestic-contracts |title=Auckland lose Jeet Raval to Northern Districts, Finn Allen to Wellington in domestic contracts |work=Stuff |accessdate=15 June 2020}}</ref>

==International career==
In June 2016, Raval was named in New Zealand's [[Test cricket|Test]] squad for their tours to [[New Zealand cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016|Zimbabwe]] and [[New Zealand cricket team in South Africa in 2016|South Africa]], which took place in July and August,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/new-zealand-pick-india-born-opener-jeet-raval-in-test-squad-for-zimbabwe-south-africa-tours-2844967/|title=New Zealand pick India-born opener Jeet Raval in Test squad for Zimbabwe, South Africa tours|date=10 June 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=The Indian Express}}</ref> but after he didn't play a match for New Zealand in either tour he was subsequently left out of New Zealand's squad for their [[New Zealand cricket team in India in 2016–17|tour of India]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/cricket/jimmy-neesham-recalled-into-black-caps-squad-india-tests|title=Jimmy Neesham recalled into Black Caps squad for India Tests|date=6 September 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=TVNZ}}</ref> due in part to questions over his ability to face spin bowling.<ref name=timeforchange>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/86309514/debut-for-jeet-raval-recall-for-todd-astle-as-black-caps-cut-martin-guptill|title=Time for change: Jeet Raval grabs opener's slot from 'inspiration' Martin Guptill|last=Geenty|first=Mark|date=10 November 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

Raval was finally selected to make his Test debut for New Zealand in November 2016 in a [[Pakistani cricket team in New Zealand in 2016–17|home series against Pakistan]], replacing out-of-form batsman [[Martin Guptill]].<ref name=timeforchange/> Raval opened the batting for New Zealand and finished the first day of play not out on 55 runs after New Zealand had bowled out Pakistan for 133.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cricket/glorious-day-debutants|title=A glorious day for the debutants|last=Leggat|first=David|date=19 November 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Otago Daily Times}}</ref> He followed this up in the second innings with an impressive 36 [[not out]], hitting the winning runs for New Zealand with a [[Boundary (cricket)|boundary]] off the bowling of [[Yasir Shah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/jeet-raval-colin-de-grandhomme-shine-on-debut-help-new-zealand-beat-pakistan/story-4ZKd4AGDHJ53NEIXiHI0VL.html|title=Jeet Raval, Colin de Grandhomme shine on debut, help New Zealand beat Pakistan|date=20 November 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> He also took four catches in the match, the most by any New Zealand non-[[Wicket-keeper|wicketkeeper]] on debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/18091472/man-match-debut-disappointing-first-yasir|title=Man of the Match on debut, and a disappointing first for Yasir|last=Seervi|first=Bharath|date=20 November 2016|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10677/scorecard/1019993/new-zealand-vs-pakistan-1st-test-pakistan-tour-of-nz-2016-17|title=Full Scorecard of New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st Test 2016 - Score Report|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

For the first few years of his Test career, Raval was unable to score his maiden Test [[Century (cricket)|century]]. In his first seven Test matches, he scored five half-centuries but the closest he got to a century in his first season was 88 runs against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/90908944/maiden-ton-eludes-jeet-raval-as-black-caps-put-pressure-on-south-africa|title=Maiden ton eludes Jeet Raval as Black Caps put pressure on South Africa|last=Anderson|first=Ian|date=27 March 2017|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref> He finished the 2016–17 season with 493 Test runs at an average of 44.81,<ref name=statsguru>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/277914.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting|title=Batting records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru|access-date=22 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> and he earned a central contract with [[New Zealand Cricket]] for the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2017/jun/23/jeet-raval-colin-de-grandhomme-neil-broom-earn-new-zealand-contracts-1620103.html|title=Jeet Raval, Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Broom earn New Zealand contracts|date=23 June 2017|access-date=22 August 2019|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> A Test century continued to elude him as he scored 84 in a Test match against the West Indies in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/new-zealand-vs-west-indies-jeet-raval-relaxed-as-century-wait-continues-in-hamilton/story-3gpnJdsNmRk9DmtiQFeTNN.html|title=New Zealand vs West Indies: Jeet Raval relaxed as century wait continues in Hamilton|last=Webber|first=Tom|date=9 December 2017|access-date=22 August 2019|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

In February 2018, during a domestic one-day match in New Zealand for Auckland, Raval hit an unusual six off of [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]] fast bowler [[Andrew Ellis (cricketer)|Andrew Ellis]]. He hit the ball directly back to the bowler, and it ricocheted off of his head and over the long-off boundary for six runs. Ellis passed a concussion test and was allowed to continue bowling, and Raval went on to score 149 runs before being dismissed by Ellis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/jeet-raval-six-ricochet-off-andrew-ellis-head-new-zealand-domestic-one-day-final/2018-02-21|title=Kiwi ace slams six ... via bowler's head|date=21 February 2018|access-date=22 August 2019|work=cricket.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ball-hits-bowler-s-head-but-flies-for-a-six-in-50-over-match-in-new-zealand-1174625-2018-02-21|title=Ball hits bowler's head but flies for a six in 50-over match in New Zealand|last=Basu|first=Ritayan|date=21 February 2018|access-date=22 August 2019|work=India Today}}</ref> In May 2018, he was one of twenty players to be awarded a new contract for the 2018–19 season by New Zealand Cricket,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23512513/todd-astle-bags-first-new-zealand-contract |title=Todd Astle bags his first New Zealand contract |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=15 May 2018}}</ref> and in August 2018 he was signed by [[county cricket]] club [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]] to replace the injured fellow New Zealander [[Kane Williamson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/45220151|title=Jeet Raval: Yorkshire sign New Zealand batsman for the rest of the 2018 season|date=17 August 2018|access-date=22 August 2019|work=BBC}}</ref>

Raval had a rough patch, and by the end of the year his 2018 batting average dropped as low as 19.90 before he scored his seventh Test half-century against [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] in the [[Boxing Day Test Match#Other Boxing Day Tests|Boxing Day Test Match]], again failing to convert it into his maiden Test century but raising his yearly average up to 23.25.<ref name=statsguru/><ref name=hapless>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/110953946/jeet-raval-scores-first-test-century-as-black-caps-pile-on-the-runs-against-bangladesh|title=Jeet Raval and Tom Latham score centuries as Black Caps punish hapless Bangladesh|last=Pearson|first=Joseph|date=1 March 2019|access-date=23 August 2019|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18812/scorecard/1153839/new-zealand-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-sri-lanka-in-nz-2018-19|title=Full Scorecard of New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2018 - Score Report|access-date=23 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In March 2019, Raval finally scored his first century in his 17th Test match, scoring 132 runs [[Bangladeshi cricket team in New Zealand in 2018–19|against Bangladesh]] as part of a 254-run opening partnership with [[Tom Latham (cricketer)|Tom Latham]] after having held the record for the most half-centuries for a New Zealander without passing the milestone.<ref name=hapless/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2019/mar/01/tom-latham-jeet-raval-hit-tons-as-new-zealand-dominate-bangladesh-1945296.html|title=Tom Latham, Jeet Raval hit tons as New Zealand dominate Bangladesh|date=1 March 2019|access-date=23 August 2019|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18805/scorecard/1153847/new-zealand-vs-bangladesh-1st-test-bangladesh-in-nz-2018-19|title=Full Scorecard of New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2019 - Score Report|access-date=23 August 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This was the highest first-wicket partnership New Zealand had ever had against Bangladesh and the third-highest against any team.<ref name=hapless/>

==Personal life==
Raval married Surabhi on 9 May 2016 in Ahmedabad. They had their honeymoon in Europe, but it was cut short by Raval's inclusion in New Zealand's national squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/82097039/black-caps-callup-follows-jeet-ravals-big-fat-indian-wedding-in-dream-year|title=Black Caps callup follows Jeet Raval's 'big fat Indian wedding' in dream year|last=Geenty|first=Mark|date=14 July 2016|access-date=23 August 2019|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cricinfo}}

{{Auckland cricket team squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raval, Jit}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New Zealand cricketers]]
[[Category:New Zealand Test cricketers]]
[[Category:Auckland cricketers]]
[[Category:Central Districts cricketers]]
[[Category:Northern Districts cricketers]]
[[Category:People educated at Avondale College]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Ahmedabad]]

Jeet Raval - Revision history

ImportMaster at 09:48, 26 August 2022