Gujarat wizkid bowls with both hands

Unlike other cricketers of his age, Pradip Champavat is never worried about his place in the team, for he knows he will always be selected. However, his predicament is different.

The 23-year-old Amdavadi does not know whether he will be required to bowl with his left-hand or the right-one, whether he will be asked to keep wickets or be told to hit a few sixes. This cricketer is an all-rounder in the truest sense of the word!

The multi-utility cricketer has given a new term to the tag of an all-rounder as he can bowl effectively with both hands. Such is the flexibility of the ambidextrous youngster that he can even change the arm in between an ongoing over.

The rare talent is now raring to go in the upcoming Gordhandhas Cup, the premier local tournament. "I use my right hand to do the daily chores but always the left hand to bowl. Initially, I bowled quick but my pitching was not proper and that's when I decided to bowl with the right hand."

The son of a sub-inspector, Pradip is an M Com student in JG College. He started his cricketing career late due to poor financial background. Despite taking up active cricket at 17, he is fast climbing up the ladder.

"Once our regular left-arm bowler did not arrive and Pradip said he would chip in for him. I was completely amazed to see him bowl comfortably with his both his hands," said Sumer Singh, the coach at the Triumph's M Power Cricket Academy at Sardar Patel Stadium, where the youngster trains.

Not to let this rare opportunity slip away, Singh, who has enrolled as a level three coach of the England and Wales Cricket Board, does not want to tamper with his god-gifted talent. "He is a great asset to the team as he offers virtually everything. We are working hard on his bowling so that he can be effective when bowling right-arm off spin and left-arm orthodox with the left hand."

Pradip chooses his style of bowling depending on the batsman. "Whenever a right-hand batsman is on strike, I bowl with my left and when a southpaw is at the crease, I switch." Besides bowling, Pradip is also known to smash the ball hard and keep wickets with ease.