Cricket has long been a game of innovation, with players and coaches constantly searching for new techniques to gain an edge. One of the most intriguing developments in the world of spin bowling is the “doosra”, a delivery designed to deceive batsmen by spinning in the opposite direction to the traditional off-break. This article delves into the history of the doosra, how it works, who pioneered it, and its significance in modern cricket.
What is a Doosra?
In cricket, a doosra is a variation of the off-spin delivery that spins in the opposite direction to a traditional off-break. When a right-arm off-spinner bowls an off-break, the ball typically spins from the off-side to the leg-side (for a right-handed batsman). However, with the doosra, the ball spins from leg-side to off-side, similar to a leg-break but bowled with the same action as an off-spinner.
The term “doosra” means “the second one” or “the other one” in Urdu and Hindi, aptly describing the nature of the delivery as an alternative to the bowler’s standard off-spin. The doosra is considered one of the most challenging deliveries to master and to face, as it is often difficult for batsmen to read the spin based on the bowler’s action alone.
Who Invented the Doosra?
The invention of the doosra is most commonly credited to Saqlain Mushtaq, a legendary Pakistani off-spinner who revolutionized off-spin bowling during the 1990s. Saqlain’s innovative thinking led him to develop a delivery that spun in the opposite direction to a traditional off-spin without altering his bowling action, making it nearly impossible for batsmen to detect the variation.
Saqlain Mushtaq: The Pioneer
Saqlain Mushtaq was renowned for his incredible control, variations, and ability to outthink batsmen. In the mid-1990s, he introduced the doosra to the world of cricket, becoming the first bowler to successfully incorporate it into his repertoire on the international stage.
Saqlain’s doosra allowed him to create a whole new set of challenges for batsmen. By using the same action as a traditional off-spinner, he could deliver a ball that moved away from the batsman rather than into them, effectively outfoxing many of the top players of his time. The delivery quickly gained fame, with Saqlain’s use of the doosra helping him secure key wickets and making him one of the most feared spin bowlers in the world.
How Does the Doosra Work?
The doosra is bowled using the same grip and action as an off-break, but the bowler applies a different spin on the ball. The key to the doosra lies in how the ball is spun and how the bowler disguises the delivery.
Key Techniques in Bowling a Doosra:
- Grip: Like the off-break, the bowler uses an off-spin grip, typically with the index and middle fingers on top of the ball and the thumb resting on the seam.
- Action: The bowler releases the ball with the same bowling action as an off-break. However, instead of rotating the fingers over the ball to generate off-spin, the bowler uses the wrist and fingers to impart a leg-spin-like rotation on the ball.
- Deception: The real skill in bowling a doosra lies in deceiving the batsman. Since the bowling action looks identical to an off-break, batsmen often expect the ball to turn inwards, only to be surprised when it turns the other way.
- Flight and Spin: The doosra often has a subtle change in flight or trajectory that, when combined with the unexpected direction of spin, catches batsmen off-guard. The ball will typically break away from the batsman, moving toward the off-side rather than coming into the batsman as a traditional off-spin delivery would.
The Evolution and Popularity of the Doosra
After Saqlain Mushtaq introduced the doosra, many other off-spinners adopted the delivery, making it a powerful weapon in their arsenal. However, mastering the doosra is incredibly challenging, and only a handful of bowlers have been able to perfect it.
Muttiah Muralitharan
One of the most famous exponents of the doosra is Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. Known for his unorthodox bowling action and extraordinary ability to spin the ball, Muralitharan used the doosra to great effect, often leaving batsmen completely clueless. His doosra, combined with his ability to generate prodigious spin, made him one of the most successful bowlers in the history of cricket.
Muralitharan’s doosra had a dramatic impact on his bowling career, helping him amass an astonishing 800 wickets in Test cricket and becoming the leading wicket-taker in both Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket. His ability to bowl the doosra was key to his dominance, particularly in the subcontinent where pitches aided spin bowling.
Harbhajan Singh
Another bowler who made excellent use of the doosra is Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan played a pivotal role in India’s success in the early 2000s, with his doosra becoming a valuable weapon in his spin bowling repertoire. His breakthrough performance in the 2001 Test series against Australia, where he took 32 wickets, including a famous hat-trick, is often remembered for his effective use of the doosra.
Saeed Ajmal
In the modern era, Saeed Ajmal, another Pakistani off-spinner, became renowned for his use of the doosra. Ajmal’s ability to disguise the delivery, coupled with his subtle variations in pace and flight, made him a nightmare for batsmen to face. His doosra played a significant role in his success during the 2011 Cricket World Cup and helped him rise to the top of the ICC bowling rankings.
Controversies Surrounding the Doosra
While the doosra has become a valuable tool for spin bowlers, it has not been without controversy. Due to the nature of the delivery, which requires significant wrist and finger rotation, some bowlers have faced scrutiny over their bowling action. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has specific regulations governing the amount of elbow flexion allowed during a bowling delivery (15 degrees), and some bowlers have been accused of “chucking” or illegal bowling actions when delivering the doosra.
Muttiah Muralitharan’s Action
Muttiah Muralitharan’s doosra was subject to intense scrutiny, with his bowling action being called into question several times during his career. However, after extensive biomechanical testing, it was found that Muralitharan’s unique hyperextended elbow gave the illusion of an illegal action, though his delivery fell within the permissible limits set by the ICC.
Saeed Ajmal’s Ban
In 2014, Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal was banned from bowling after his doosra was found to exceed the allowable elbow flexion limit. Ajmal’s action was later cleared after making adjustments, but the incident highlighted the challenges bowlers face when trying to deliver the doosra within the regulations.
The Doosra’s Legacy in Modern Cricket
Despite the controversies surrounding the delivery, the doosra remains one of the most important innovations in the history of spin bowling. It has expanded the repertoire of off-spinners, allowing them to surprise batsmen with unpredictable variations.
However, with the increasing focus on bowling actions and the strict regulations imposed by the ICC, the number of bowlers who can successfully bowl the doosra has diminished in recent years. That being said, the doosra’s influence is still evident in modern cricket, with many young spinners aspiring to master the art of this deceptive delivery.
Conclusion: The Doosra’s Impact on Cricket
The doosra has undoubtedly revolutionized the art of spin bowling. First pioneered by Saqlain Mushtaq and popularized by legends like Muttiah Muralitharan and Saeed Ajmal, the doosra remains a challenging and potent delivery that has added a new dimension to off-spin bowling.
While its usage may have declined due to stricter bowling regulations, the doosra’s legacy endures, having changed the way batsmen approach spin bowling and how bowlers strategize in matches. The doosra is not just a delivery—it represents the ingenuity and creativity of cricketers who constantly push the boundaries of the game.