At just 17, Vishwa Ramkumar is already making waves as the “little leg-spinner on the rise” in Victorian cricket.
Selected to represent Australia’s Under-19 team for the upcoming tour of India this September, he’s being compared to one of Australia’s white-ball greats for his remarkable potential.
“Being selected for Australia’s Under-19 team is definitely a highlight for me. It’s a special feeling—something that brings me a lot of joy, knowing that I can represent Australia. It’s something you work hard for, and when it happens, it gives you a deep sense of satisfaction. I’m obviously proud of the achievement,” Ramkumar tells The Indian Sun.
He will be leaving on 17 September. Ramkumar says he’s especially excited to be going to India, as he has relatives in Chennai, where he’ll be playing, and he looks forward to facing a strong team like India.
“It should definitely be a good challenge to come up against some of their players and spinners as well. It’s an exciting time for sure,” he says.
Ramkumar’s selection is the result of his progress through junior pathways cricket, including the Under-15s, Under-17s, Under-19s, and national championships.
“My performance in those would have definitely played a role,” he says modestly, while also acknowledging the support from Cricket Victoria and local clubs.
As he prepares for the India tour, Ramkumar mentions that he’s sticking to his usual training routine—focusing on bowling, batting, fielding, and managing his workload to stay in top form. Fortunately, he was in India just four months ago and is already acclimatised to playing there.
Asked if there is pressure playing at such a high level, he says, “I am just pretty young, I don’t feel the pressure. I am trying to have the most fun playing my cricket. I am just trying to rise and do better for myself and within my team. Yes, there will always be some kind of pressure, but in a way, it is a good thing because it pushes you to improve and really embrace the bigger occasions.”
Ramkumar is aware that playing against a strong team like India presents a significant challenge, but he remains confident in Australia’s abilities. He notes, “Not changing too much but sticking to what we do best and just trusting our team’s ability is key. The main part is sticking together and embracing the challenge.”
Representing Australia is a “huge thing” for Ramkumar. On top of that, the fact that he will be playing in India adds to his excitement due to the cricket hype there.
He says, “That adds a kick to the matches you’re playing, and the presence of an enthusiastic audience makes it exciting and definitely something to look forward to.”
He is trying to get ready in the best way possible by focusing on all aspects of his game to tackle a strong team like India. Ramkumar says he prefers turf to synthetic surfaces as it presents a bigger challenge, especially for a leg-spinner like himself, when it comes to limiting runs.
His love for cricket stemmed from his father’s passion for the sport. “That’s how I got into it, and it became my own passion,” says Ramkumar, who reveals Shane Warne was the first player he looked up to.
“I used to sit down and watch his videos. From there, the passion just grew and grew.” Now, he likes watching bowlers like Rashid Khan and Adam Zampa.
Along the way, thanks to programs such as Cricket Victoria’s youth initiatives like the “Targeted Rookie Program,” Ramkumar was able to stay motivated through exposure to excellent coaches, talented players, and a high-performance environment.
Ramkumar believes his bowling style is “unique. It sort of developed naturally, just a reflection of what I do. I haven’t modelled my game on anyone in particular; I just let my natural bowling take over.”
A first-year student of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, Ramkumar says he manages to balance his studies with his cricket passion.
Looking ahead, Ramkumar’s ideal goal is to play at the highest level and contribute to Australian cricket. For now, his standout moment is going to India and playing against a strong cricketing nation. “I will be playing for my team, and that’s what matters in the end.”
The Indian Sun acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
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