Many years ago, I had read an absorbing Marathi sci-fi short story (उजव्या सोंडेचा गणपती) by Dr. Jayant Naralikar, the renowned Indian Astrophysicist and Science fiction writer (the English version of the story had appeared in The Illustrated Weekly). It was about a legendary Off Spinner who is past his prime, but wants to have one last hurrah. His Scientist friend transforms him into his mirror image and converts him into a left arm spinner. (While I do not remember the physics behind the story, it had something to do with the clockwise / anticlockwise spin on the electrons). The story narrates how mesmerizes the opposition by bowling left handed on his farewell test.
I remembered this story when I read this new item about two ambidextrous bowlers, Vikas Chauhan and Mohammad Ebrahim Sanauth being contracted by Kolkatta Knight Riders for the new season of IPL. The KKR coach John Buchanan seems excited about these players with this exceptional ability to bowl equally well with right and left hand. At least I do not know of any bowler or batsman equally adept at using right and left hand, having played at first class level.
While there are numerous examples of players batting left handed but using right hand for bowling (or vice versa), a batsman able to bat right or left handed , or bowler bowiling with either hand are not known. A well chronicled incidence of a Ranji trophy match in which Sunil Gavaskar batting left handed trying to thwart Raghuram Bhatt of Karnataka, who was exploiting the rough outside the right hander’s leg stump comes to mind as lone exception.
More recently, England’s Kevin Peterson’s switch hitting is creating a lot of controversy. In Gavaskar’s case it was there for everybody to see that he had taken left hander’s stance. But Peterson suddenly jumps to left hander’s position even as the ball is delivered. There has been a raging debate about the legality of the switch hitting and the spirit of the game.
Now this prospect of bowlers able to bowl with both hands. At the start of each over, the Umpire announces the mode of delivery by the bowler ( right arm over the wicket). What if the bowler suddenly delivers the ball with the ‘other’ hand un-announced? Just as Peterson jumps un-announced? Will he be allowed to do so?
No harm in allowing I believe. Just as the batsman uses the reverse sweet to surprise and unsettle bowler, the bowler too can throw a surprise. A googly , Doosara, or the slower delivery are the weapons in a bowler’e armoury, which can be strengthened by being ambidextrous. Imagine Harbhajan bowling left arm around the wicket! Cricket will be certainly more exciting. Don’t you think so?
I remembered this story when I read this new item about two ambidextrous bowlers, Vikas Chauhan and Mohammad Ebrahim Sanauth being contracted by Kolkatta Knight Riders for the new season of IPL. The KKR coach John Buchanan seems excited about these players with this exceptional ability to bowl equally well with right and left hand. At least I do not know of any bowler or batsman equally adept at using right and left hand, having played at first class level.
While there are numerous examples of players batting left handed but using right hand for bowling (or vice versa), a batsman able to bat right or left handed , or bowler bowiling with either hand are not known. A well chronicled incidence of a Ranji trophy match in which Sunil Gavaskar batting left handed trying to thwart Raghuram Bhatt of Karnataka, who was exploiting the rough outside the right hander’s leg stump comes to mind as lone exception.
More recently, England’s Kevin Peterson’s switch hitting is creating a lot of controversy. In Gavaskar’s case it was there for everybody to see that he had taken left hander’s stance. But Peterson suddenly jumps to left hander’s position even as the ball is delivered. There has been a raging debate about the legality of the switch hitting and the spirit of the game.
Now this prospect of bowlers able to bowl with both hands. At the start of each over, the Umpire announces the mode of delivery by the bowler ( right arm over the wicket). What if the bowler suddenly delivers the ball with the ‘other’ hand un-announced? Just as Peterson jumps un-announced? Will he be allowed to do so?
No harm in allowing I believe. Just as the batsman uses the reverse sweet to surprise and unsettle bowler, the bowler too can throw a surprise. A googly , Doosara, or the slower delivery are the weapons in a bowler’e armoury, which can be strengthened by being ambidextrous. Imagine Harbhajan bowling left arm around the wicket! Cricket will be certainly more exciting. Don’t you think so?
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