Lakshmipathy Balaji is a right-handed batsman of Tamil Nadu Cricket team since 2001. He was born on September 27, 1981 in Chennai (earlier Madras), Tamil Nadu. He has also played for the Indian Cricket team since 2003. He is also known as Nadu. This right-arm medium-fast bowler of Tamil Nadu team got recognised after his performance in the 2004 India-Pakistan series. But his international career was put on hold after an injury. Again in Pakistan 2005 tour, Lakshmipathy Balaji made his comeback by taking 5 wickets in the first innings. But after that again injuries kept him out of the Indian Cricket team.

Lakshmipathy Balaji made his First-class Cricket debut in 2001-02. He has played in altogether in 52 First-class matches till 2010 with an average of 12.06. His total score in these matches is 543 runs and his maximum score in any of the First-class matches is 37 runs. While in bowling, Lakshmipathy Balaji has picked up total 197 wickets by losing 5049 runs out of the 10148 balls he played in the First-class matches. His bowling average is 25.62 and economy is 2.98. Lakshmipathy Balaji played his latest First-class match against West Zone from October 19 to 22 in 2006, which was held at Indore. In the List-A matches, Balaji debuted in 2001-02. He has played in overall 67 List-A matches with an average of 9.40. His total score in these matches is 207 runs and striking rate is 72.88. The maximum score made by Lakshmipathy Balaji in any of the List-A matches is 21 runs.

Again with ball in hand, Lakshmipathy Balaji has picked up total 102 wickets by giving 3025 runs from the 3488 balls he played in the List-A matches. His bowling average is 29.65 and economy is 5.20. The latest List-A match played by Balaji was held at Chennai on October 3 in 2006. Lakshmipathy Balaji debuted in the Test matches against New Zealand from October 8 to 12 in 2003, which was held at Ahmedabad. He has played in eight Test matches with an average of 5.66. His total score in these matches is 51 runs, which includes 5 fours and one six. The highest score of Balaji in any of the Test matches is 31 runs and his striking rate is 40.47. Whereas in bowling, Lakshmipathy Balaji has picked up 27 wickets by losing 1004 runs from 1756 balls he played in the Test matches. His bowling average is 37.18 and economy is 3.43 in these matches. His latest Test match was against Pakistan from March 24 to 28 in 2005, which was held at Bengaluru.

In the One day International (ODI) matches, Balaji had his debut against West Indies on November 18 in 2002 held at Vadodara. He has played in the 29 ODI matches with an average of 12.55. His total score in these matches is 113 runs, which includes seven fours and three sixes. The highest score of Lakshmipathy Balaji in any of the ODI matches is 21 runs and striking rate is 79.57. While in bowling, Lakshmipathy Balaji has picked up total 34 wickets by losing 1312 runs from 1417 balls he played in the ODI matches. His bowling average is 38.58 and economy is 5.55. The latest ODI match played by Lakshmipathy Balaji was against Sri Lanka on August 3 in 2005, which was held at Dambulla.

Lakshmipathy Balaji played for the Chennai Super Kings team in the 1st 3 editions of the IPL starting from the 2008 Indian Premier League. On 10th May 2008, Balaji made the first hat-trick of the IPL tournament in the match against Kings XI Punjab at Chennai, and rounded off the evening with a match-winning 5-wicket haul. Balaji he was not able to achieve much in batting in the IPL. In the 2nd season of the Indian Premier League, Lakshmipathy Balaji picked 4 wickets against Rajasthan Royals, aiding the Chennai Super Kings to victory.