The talented all-rounder and stroke-maker worked his way through the youth ranks at Essex making his first team debut in 2002 and is now a regular member of the England international squad. He recorded his maiden Championship century in 2005 and was capped later that summer whilst England recognition came when he made his international One-day debut against Australia in February 2007 before going onto make his Test debut against Sri Lanka during that winter.

Ravi enjoyed a sparkling season on the domestic circuit in 2008, the highlight of which was 201 not out from 138 deliveries against Leicestershire in the Friends Provident Trophy quarter-final, the highest one-day score ever by an Essex player and he was also named Young Cricketer of the Year.

He completed his first Test hundred in February 2009 in Barbados and also played in all five one-day matches in the Caribbean before hitting two centuries in the home Test series against West Indies and playing in the successful Ashes series later that summer.

Although he was a member of the victorious World Twenty20 squad, he found further opportunities hard to come by and missed out on selection for the 2010-11 Ashes tour but hard work and a mature attitude have seen him force his way back into England recognition as a leading batsman and useful medium-pace all-rounder.

Ravi was appointed Essex vice-captain in 2011.