Former Pakistan spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq is known for his ability to bowl the 'doosra', which he employs to great effect. On his birthday today, we look at some of the best exponents of this art...
Updated on : 03 July,2019 11:40 AM IST
India's spin star Harbhajan Singh is quite an efficient bowler of the doosra. The off-spinner was called twice in his career for 'chucking' and has since corrected his bowling action. (Pic/ Getty Images)
South African Johan Botha was reported for his version of the doosra after the 3rd Test match against Australia in 2006. Botha was playing in his maiden Test match at the time. His bowling was later ruled illegal, and he was banned, though this ban was subsequently lifted. He is now allowed to bowl all types of deliveries except the doosra, which was deemed to exceed the 15-degree limit. (Pic/ AFP)
Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is credited with the invention of doosra, but in actuality he just perfected it. Saqlain took 208 Test and 288 one-day wickets during his career. The doosra, which means 'the second one' in Urdu, turns from leg-side to offside -- the opposite direction to orthodox off breaks. It is bowled from the back of the hand with a lot of top-spin, though the bowler's wrist still moves in a clockwise direction, making it difficult for a batsman to pick. (Pic/ AFP)
Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the greatest exponents of the doosra. But the Sri Lankan offie's doosra was the subject of an official report by match referee Chris Broad during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 2004, for illegal bending of the arm at the elbow during the bowling action. Subsequent tests showed that Muralitharan was straightening his arm by angles of up to 10 degrees prior to delivering doosras, well outside the ICC's acceptable guideline of 5 degrees for spin bowlers. Muralitharan was subsequently instructed by Sri Lanka Cricket not to bowl the doosra in international cricket. In February 2006, in an attempt to silence the Australian crowds and their 'no ball' chants, Muralitharan took another test at the University of Western Australia, which saw all of his deliveries deemed legal, including the doosra. (Pic/ AFP)
Pakistani cricketer off-spin bowler Saeed Ajmal uses the doosra to good effect. He has a well disguised doosra and keeps it as a mystery while he bowls. His technique is noted for causing more spin than speed, to his personal preference. Ajmal is currently under suspension for his doosra, which he uses almost as a stock delivery. (Pic/ AFP, Getty Images)
English part-time bowler Moeen Ali became the first English spinner to bowl a doosra in an international match when he did it against Sri Lanka at Headingley during the 2014 test series. Interestingly, Ali has stopped bowling the doosra fearing he could be banned from international cricket following the recent crackdown on suspect actions. (Pic/ AFP)
Sri Lankan left-arm bowler Rangana Herath gained recognition by bowling the doosra, in particular against the Australians during an 'A' tour. (Pic/ AFP)
Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik has also bowled the doosra in international cricket and been reported for it, twice. Malik has since returned to play but does not bowl the doosra any more. (Pic/ AFP)
