Cricket

Zaheer Khan, India's legendary left-arm fast bowler, has etched his name in cricket history as one of the most formidable bowlers of his era. His ability to swing the new ball both ways and reverse-swing the old ball made him a nightmare for batsmen, particularly left-handers. Among his many victims, former South African captain Graeme Smith stands out as a testament to Zaheer's exceptional skills.In 11 Test matches, Zaheer dismissed Smith seven times, showcasing his dominance over the South African opener. In white-ball cricket, Zaheer's mastery over Smith was equally evident. He dismissed him six times in 14 ODIs and once in two T20Is.Smith himself acknowledged Zaheer's brilliance, stating, "He was one of the skillful bowlers I've faced, especially to left-handers. He got the ball to swing away and had a great change of pace. He bowled well with the reverse-swinging ball."Zaheer's success against Smith stemmed from his ability to exploit the left-hander's tendency to play across the line. By swinging the ball away from Smith, Zaheer forced him to reach for deliveries outside his off stump, often leading to edges or LBW dismissals.Beyond his technical prowess, Zaheer possessed an unwavering determination and a competitive spirit that fueled his performances. He was known for his relentless pursuit of wickets and his ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments.Zaheer's legacy as one of India's greatest bowlers is cemented by his impressive career statistics. In 92 Tests, he claimed 311 wickets, while in 200 ODIs, he took 282 wickets. In 17 T20Is, he added 17 wickets to his tally.Zaheer's mastery over Graeme Smith serves as a testament to his exceptional skills and unwavering determination. He remains an inspiration to aspiring bowlers and a legend in the annals of Indian cricket.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, renowned for his mastery of reverse swing, has introduced this technique to the grassroots level of the sport through the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). The ISPL, a tennis-ball tournament, aims to elevate the level of competition and challenge players technically.Tendulkar, a key figure in the ISPL, recognized the need to balance advantages between batsmen and bowlers. He introduced reverse swing using taped tennis balls, a technique he employed during his international career. This innovation tests batsmen's technique and adds a new dimension to the game.Initially, bowlers in the ISPL struggled to generate reverse swing with taped balls. Tendulkar addressed this by conducting workshops with coaches, emphasizing the importance of targeting a specific spot and trusting their instincts. This adjustment enabled bowlers to regain control and utilize the taped ball effectively.The second season of the ISPL, featuring six teams, will be held from January 26 to February 9, 2025, at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane. Trials will be held across 55 cities in five zones starting in October, with provisions for additional camps in cities not included in the initial list.Tendulkar's introduction of reverse swing to the ISPL is a testament to his commitment to developing the game at all levels. By challenging players with this advanced technique, he aims to elevate the standard of street cricket and inspire future generations of cricketers.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has vehemently condemned Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami's derogatory remarks about Inzamam-ul-Haq's allegations of reverse swing manipulation. Ali, in a YouTube video, expressed his disapproval of Shami's choice of words, labeling them as "indecent" and disrespectful.Ali emphasized the importance of respecting senior players, stating that Shami's comments were unbecoming of a professional cricketer. He urged Shami to exercise caution in his public statements, particularly when addressing respected figures like Inzamam."When Shami talks about Inzi bhai and calls him a cartoon, that's not right. Inzamam has led this country and captained it. Shami, your choice of words isn't good. We praise your bowling, but you should have chosen your words better. You didn't pick your words well, and that hurt me," Ali said.Ali's criticism stems from Shami's previous dismissal of Inzamam's claims that Team India was involved in ball-tampering during the T20 World Cup. Shami had labeled such allegations as "cartoonish" and accused Inzamam of attempting to deceive the public.Ali believes that Shami's response was disrespectful and undermined the dignity of cricketing discourse. He stressed that senior players deserve respect and that Shami's comments were inappropriate."Be a bit more careful, you can't just say anything anywhere. Whatever question is asked, you keep giving 'behuda' (indecent) answers. I'm using the right word, 'behuda (indecent)'. Aapne behuda zabaan use kiya hai (You've used indecent language). Your elders probably never taught you this," Ali said.Ali's comments highlight the importance of maintaining a respectful and professional tone in cricketing discussions. He believes that Shami's remarks were uncalled for and that they have damaged the reputation of the sport.

Inzamam-ul-Haq's allegations regarding India's reverse-swinging tactics in the T20 World Cup have sparked a heated debate. The former Pakistan captain questioned how India, particularly Arshdeep Singh, managed to reverse-swing the ball in the 16th over of Australia's innings.Rohit Sharma, India's skipper, dismissed Inzamam's claims, stating that reverse-swing is a natural occurrence in hot and dry conditions. However, Inzamam has retorted, cautioning Rohit not to lecture Pakistan, the originators of reverse-swing, on the technique.Inzamam clarified that he never accused India of ball-tampering, but rather intended to alert the umpires to the unusual reverse-swing. He emphasized that umpires should remain vigilant, as reverse-swing can occur even in the early overs.Meanwhile, India has advanced to the final of the T20 World Cup after defeating England by 68 runs in the second semifinal. South Africa, who defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets, will face India in the championship match.

Gautam Gambhir Slams Two New Balls Rule in ODI Cricket, Calls for Return to Single BallFormer Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has vehemently criticized the use of two new balls in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, arguing that it severely disadvantages finger spinners and diminishes the art of reverse swing.Gambhir, who currently serves as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, pointed out the glaring absence of prominent finger spinners like Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin from ODI teams despite their exceptional records in Test cricket. Both Lyon and Ashwin have taken over 400 wickets in Test matches, but their effectiveness is significantly reduced in ODIs due to the two new balls rule."Two new balls in one-day cricket is probably the worst thing that can happen to one-day cricket," Gambhir asserted in a recent episode of the podcast series 180 Not Out. "Imagine how many finger spinners play one-day cricket. There's Nathan Lyon who's got 400 wickets, there's R Ashwin who's got 400 wickets, and they are not a part of the One Day team, and the only reason is that there is nothing for a finger spinner."Gambhir explained that the two new balls rule diminishes the effectiveness of finger spinners because the ball remains relatively new throughout the innings, providing less grip and turn for the bowlers. "Imagine someone who has taken 400 Test wickets will not play one day cricket because they don't become a wicket-taking option or they end up becoming a defensive option," he said.The former Indian international also lamented the impact of the two new balls rule on reverse swing, a crucial skill in the arsenal of fast bowlers. "Reverse swing... It has gone out of the game completely," Gambhir said. "I want to see reverse swing, I want to see batters getting challenged, and someone bowling at 150 and reversing the ball is always a challenge."Gambhir proposed a return to the traditional use of a single ball throughout the innings, which would allow for more wear and tear, thereby bringing reverse swing back into play and providing spinners with a greater opportunity to influence the game. "One rule that needs to change is getting rid of two new balls and having only one," he insisted.