Praveen Kumar, the former Indian fast bowler, delved into the intricacies of reverse swing and dropped a surprising bombshell regarding the prowess of Pakistan’s fast-bowling lineup.
Reverse swing stands out as one of the most lethal tools in the arsenal of fast bowlers throughout cricket history, especially when the ball has aged. This distinctive technique was pioneered by Pakistani fast bowlers in international cricket, proving to be a formidable strategy for taking wickets on lifeless pitches. However, mastering this skill is no walk in the park and is not something every bowler can achieve.
Regrettably, this art seems to have faded into obscurity, largely due to the introduction of two new balls in ODIs. In a recent revelation, Praveen Kumar, a former Indian fast bowler, shed light on the intricacies of reverse swing. He dropped a bombshell by disclosing that all teams used to tamper with the ball to harness its reverse swing potential. However, he added that Pakistani players seemed to employ this tactic a bit more frequently than others. The 37-year-old appeared on Lallantop, where he revealed that almost every team is involved in ball-tampering including India to get a reverse swing.
“Everyone does a little bit; they (Pakistan bowlers) do it a bit more. That’s what I’ve heard. Now, there are cameras everywhere. Earlier, all used to do it. And everyone knows as well. They would scratch it from one side, but one must know how to use that skill, too. If I scratch the ball and give to someone, one must have the skills to reverse-swing it. One has to learn that,” Praveen said on Lallantop.
Certainly! Sarfaraz Nawaz is widely acknowledged for bringing the technique of reverse swing into the realm of international cricket. This skill was subsequently passed on to the former captain of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and further advanced by the iconic seam-bowling partnership of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, considered as one of the most lethal bowling pairs in the history of the sport.
In today’s cricket era, the utilization of reverse swing in white-ball matches is a rare sight, mainly due to the prevalent use of two new balls in ODIs. The scarcity of bowlers adept in this art is evident, with young players seemingly unfamiliar with the skill. Only a handful of pacers possess the ability to effectively reverse the ball.
Praveen Kumar, distinguished for his mastery in swing bowling, stands out as one of the limited few who excelled in this craft. He proved to be a formidable challenge for many cricketing greats, showcasing a unique skill set that allowed him to make the ball move in both directions. Notably, his proficiency extended to the art of reverse swing, further setting him apart in the realm of fast bowling.
