How to Bowl the Doosra

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If you play cricket or enjoy watching the sport, you're probably interested in learning how to bowl the doosra. Like a curve ball in baseball, this move is designed to catch the batter off guard. At first, it looks like a regular off-break, but, because of clever wrist action, it goes in a right-to-left direction. The doosra is based on the googly, which is a form of leg spin that sends the ball in a left-to-right direction. [1] To the untrained eye, both bowls look identical to each other. However, as any professional player will tell you, the secret is in the twist of the wrist.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Bowling the Doosra

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    Hold the ball like a fast bowler . Position your index and middle fingers on either side of the seam. For better ball control, your index finger should just about touch the seam. Your thumb may rest on the ball, but this usually doesn't affect delivery. Use your remaining two fingers to hold the ball in place. [2]
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    Place your wrist at its highest point with your palm facing left (roughly towards the cover position). Keep your arm bent at 15 degrees or less. Anything more than 15 degrees is considered illegal in cricket. [3]
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    Plant the sole of your foot flat on the ground. Position the leg on your bowling side behind you with your toe pointed. Make sure your feet remain aligned during this step. [4]
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    Pivot your waist at a perpendicular angle from the batter. Position your torso toward the side of your bowling hand. For example, if you're bowling with your right hand, your torso should face right. [5]
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    This will help to keep your body balanced. Rotate your shoulder so that your arm is above your head. Bend the elbow of this arm. Position the forearm and hand of this arm toward your bowling hand. [6]
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    Raise the thigh on your non-bowling side, with your shin and foot helping to form a 135-degree angle. Position your knee slightly toward your bowling hand. Keep the foot on your bowling side planted flat on the ground. [7]
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    Keep the back of your hand facing square leg. Move your index finger downwards over the ball. Right before you release the ball, bend your elbow. Just before release, bend your wrist inward. As you deliver the ball, spin it as you would in an off-break. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Bowling the Googly

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    Hold the ball as if you want to do a leg break . Place the ball between the index finger and middle finger of your dominant hand. Make sure the seam of the ball runs perpendicular to your fingers. Place your thumb along the seam. Bend your ring finger and move your middle finger to the top of the ball. Place your ring finger on the opposite side of your index finger so that the ball is resting in these three fingers. Put your pinky alongside your ring finger. [9]
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    Raise your dominant arm straight up over your head. Turn your elbow outward, keeping it straight. If you're using your right hand, twist your forearm towards the left. Turn it to the right if you're left-handed. [10]
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    Make sure your palm is open and relaxed. Turn it upward, towards the sky or ceiling. Then, turn the back of your hand towards the batter so that it's perpendicular to the ground. [11]
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    Do this with the opposite foot of your bowling side. (For example, if you're bowling with your right hand, you'll step forward with your left foot.) Make sure this foot is flat on the ground. Keep the leg on your bowling side behind you with your toe pointed. This foot should be aligned directly behind the other. [12]
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    Face the batter as you do this. Tilt towards the opposite of your dominant side. Allow your bowling arm and foot/leg positions to guide you into this position. [13]
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    Position your wrist 180 degrees from the ground. As you do this, make sure the seam of the ball faces fine leg. Use your ring finger to turn the ball counterclockwise and bowl it toward the batter. [14]
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  • Question
    How do I hit six in every bowl?
    Community Answer
    Just watch the ball as it comes closer to you, then hit it. The bat should be diagonal, but it is necessary that the ball should be full length.
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  • Question
    Is the doosra an illegal ball?
    Ashwajeet Singh
    Community Answer
    Not if the angle between the bowling arm and shoulder is less than or equal to 15 degrees.
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  • Question
    How do I hit the ball too far?
    Community Answer
    You have to take position. Put your all weight on back feet. And focus on ball, tighten the left hand, then hit it.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3639000/3639179.stm
      2. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3639000/3639179.stm
      3. ↑ http://www.cricketweb.net/spin-to-win/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2IJaW1InyA
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgXo9thZs1I
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgXo9thZs1I
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgXo9thZs1I
      8. ↑ http://www.pitchvision.com/newsletter/view/pva/75
      9. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3639000/3639179.stm
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk3Tpf8By0Y
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk3Tpf8By0Y
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2IJaW1InyA
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2IJaW1InyA
      5. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3207000/3207939.stm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To bowl the doosra in cricket, hold the ball like a fast bowler with your index and middle fingers on either side of the seam. Position your bowling arm at 15 degrees near the side of your head, and step forward with your non-dominant foot. Then, pivot your waist perpendicular to the batter, and raise your non-bowling arm out to steady yourself. When you're ready to bowl, lift the thigh on the side of your non-bowling arm into a 135 degree angle, and then move to release the ball. As you deliver it, spin like you would in an off-break to complete the move. For tips on perfecting your form and bowling the googly, read on!

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