Shiva Singh, a young left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh who has been a part of the India U-19 squad, became an internet sensation on Thursday when a video of his 'freaky' bowling action emerged that sent the world of social media into a tizzy.
The 19-year-old, turning out for UP against Bengal in the U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy, bowled with an innovative action, turning 360 degrees before delivering the ball. But the umpire declared the ball dead, splitting the cricketing world into those for it and those against it.
Many opine that if batsmen can innovate using shots like switch hit, reverse sweep and moving around in the crease, bowlers should have such liberty too.
Shiva claimed to have used it to break the partnership. "I use different variations in one-dayers and T20s, so I thought of doing the same because the Bengal batsmen were developing a partnership. The umpires said dead ball, so I asked 'why are you calling it a dead ball?'" Singh told a cricket website. It was not the first time Singh bowled like this. He claims to have bowled it against Kerala in Vijay Hazare Trophy "where it was okay".
Former India spinner Nilesh Kulkarni was left fuming about the delivery being declared a dead ball.
"It's a bad call. How can it be a dead ball? If Lasith Malinga runs in and bowls with a sling-shot action or Paul Adams bowls with that freaky action, then why not this guy? For me, he is not chucking. That is wrong," said Kulkarni.
"While the batsmen have the liberty to step out, play switch hits, move ahead, comeback is it not a distraction for the bowler? It's the same principle. It's the same logic, why two rules for different people," Kulkarni added.
India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla said the youngster has done nothing wrong. "My point is if he is not chucking and bowling from within the line then there should be no problem. If it's distracting the batsmen, and there is a rule against such action, then you cannot help it," said Chawla.
Former India player and ex-Mumbai captain Abhishek Nayar, who has an unconventional batting stance, is in favour of innovative bowling.
"I don't think it's very distracting. It's normal. He has just taken a turn which I don't think will bother the batsmen."
Nayar, who is now playing for Puducherry in Ranji Trophy, said he is all for the bowlers to have something like the batsmen who are allowed to play any kind of shots.
"The bowlers should have something. I feel little here and there only makes it interesting. As long as it is not disrupting the game, I feel it should be fine," Nayar added.
Shiva got support from batsmen like former England captain Michael Vaughan and former Test cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.
"Love this ... We keep saying bowlers must bring new innovation ... No Issue at all with this," Vaughan tweeted.
Manjrekar added: "Umpires wrong in calling this a dead ball. And please let the geeks not decide if it's fair or unfair.."
Rule book
Law 41.4 states:
- 41.4.1 It is unfair for any fielder deliberately to attempt to distract the striker while he/she is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery.
- 41.4.2 If either umpire considers that any action by a fielder is such an attempt, he/she shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.
- Note: The bowler is counted as a fielder.
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