Cricket is a surprising and innovative sport that captivates fans. While regular bowling is important, it's the unique deliveries that show bowlers' creativity. This article explores the top ten unconventional wicket-taking techniques in cricket that amaze batsmen and fans. These ten deliveries, used by great players in important matches, are now part of cricket history, keeping the game exciting and surprising.
1. Doosra
The doosra is an off-spin delivery in cricket, invented by Saqlain Mushtaq. It spins opposite to the off-break and aims to confuse batsmen. The term means "the other one" in Urdu. Players like Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh, and Shoaib Malik have used it. It's delivered with a locked wrist using index and ring fingers, causing spin in the opposite direction. Saeed Ajmal's doosra was known for its spin.
2. Slower Ball
In cricket, a slower ball is a delivery by a fast bowler that's slower than usual. The aim is to trick the batsman into playing too early, resulting in a missed shot or an easy catch. Bowlers use various techniques to slow down the ball, like bowling from the back of the hand, using split fingers, or changing the finger position on the seam. Effective slower balls force batsmen to play early, and some bowlers, like Franklyn Stephenson and Dwayne Bravo, have mastered this art.
3. The Carrom Ball
Spin bowling is crucial in cricket, but bowlers face challenges due to rules like power play restrictions. The carrom ball, a tricky delivery spun with finger flicking, is used by off-spinners like Ajantha Mendis and Sunil Narine. Mendis excelled in Sri Lanka vs. India 2008 series. Ravindra Ashwin, a skilled Indian spinner, also employs the carrom ball with success. The carrom ball, gripped between thumb, forefinger, and middle finger, is spun by flicking the thumb and middle finger. Ajantha Mendis and Ravichandran Ashwin revived this technique, making it a powerful tool for off-spinners.
4. The Knuckleball
The knuckle ball is a deceptive delivery used by fast bowlers to outwit batters. It's a slower ball, aimed to make batters play too early or mistime their shot. The ball is held under the knuckles of the index and middle finger, slowing it down when released. Adapted from baseball, India's Zaheer Khan introduced it globally in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, and Australia's Andrew Tye employ it.
5. The Leg Cutter
A leg cutter is unlike regular deliveries, the bowler intentionally rolls the ball out of their hand over the little finger while keeping the wrist locked. This changes the spin axis, causing the ball to deviate towards the off side for a right-handed batsman. It's a variation ball used to surprise batsmen. Bowlers like Alec Bedser, Terry Alderman, and Venkatesh Prasad have used it effectively.
6. The Slingshot Action
Swing bowling in cricket causes the ball to move sideways in the air. Swing happens due to a net force acting on the ball from the side with more turbulence. Outswingers move away from the batter, while inswingers move in. Outswingers are considered more dangerous. Swing can be early or late in the ball's trajectory. Achieving swing requires a specific grip, technique, and conditions like humidity. Players like Jeff Thompson have mastered this.
7. The Back-of-the-Hand Delivery
The "back of the hand delivery" is a cricket technique where the bowler releases the ball from the back of their hand, creating an unexpected delivery. This type of delivery is also known as a "back-spinner" or "back-of-the-hand slower ball." By using this technique, the bowler can deceive the batsman with the change in pace and trajectory. This technique requires skill and practice to execute effectively and is often used as a variation to surprise the batsman.
8. The Yorker
A yorker is a delivery that hits the pitch around the batsman's feet. It's challenging to bowl because if it's not timed well, it can result in an easy shot for the batsman. It's often used by fast bowlers to surprise the batsman and can be difficult to defend. A well-executed yorker can be hard to hit and may lead to the batsman getting out LBW. Notable bowlers skilled in yorkers include Waqar Younis, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Starc., and Natarajan T.
9. The Reverse Swing
When the ball becomes very old, around 50 overs or more, it can start swinging towards the shiny side. This is called reverse swing and is mainly used by bowlers in Test matches. It's difficult to predict and harder for batsmen to defend against. Reverse swing occurs due to the ball's asymmetry and airflow dynamics. The technique involves keeping one side shiny and the other rough. Pakistani bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis pioneered reverse swing.
10. The Double Bouncer
Double Bouncer is a short-pitched delivery that bounces twice and reaches the batter at head-height. It's usually bowled by fast bowlers. Bouncers can be defensive or attacking. Defensively, batters duck or use their bat to block the ball down. Bouncers can intimidate batters and lead to catches, but they can also result in run-scoring opportunities. It has been used occasionally to confuse batsmen and disrupt their timing. The ball bouncing twice makes it difficult for the batsman to anticipate its trajectory and timing.
