Swinging the season ball is nothing less than an art. Many bowlers in the past have mastered the art of swing bowling. Previously, bowlers like Wasim Akram, Dale Steyn, James Anderson, and Chaminda Vaas perfected the art of swing bowling. However, in recent times, India’s premier bowler Bhubaneswar Kumar made his name with his ability of swinging the ball both ways. Kumar’s bowling prowess even earned him the title of ‘Swing King in Cricket’.
In this article, we will talk about bowlers that perfected the art of making the ball dance and batters tremble.
What is Swing Bowling in Cricket?
Swing bowling is a technique in cricket where the bowlers use different styles of the holding the ball to make itl curve through the air. The movement in the air makes it difficult for batters to predict the ball’s swing. This often results in batters misjudging the ball and playing incorrect shots. Swing bowling is used by fast bowlers, who rely on a mix of inswingers and outswingers with the new ball and reverse swing with the older ball to challenge batters. Famous bowlers like Wasim Akram and James Anderson are masters of this art.
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The Best Swingers of the Cricket ball
Swing bowling is a skill that separates the great bowlers from the rest. Over the years, many bowlers have mastered this art, making life difficult for batters across the globe. Here are some of the best swing bowlers in cricket history:
1. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Widely known as the “Sultan of Swing,” Pakistan’s Akram is regarded as one of the greatest swing bowlers in cricket hisory. His ability to deliver lethal reverse swings made him a nightmare for batters, especially in the death overs.
2. James Anderson (England)
Anderson is the highest wicket-taker for England in Test cricket and a master of conventional and reverse swing. His precision and control, particularly in English conditions, have earned him legendary status.
3. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Partnering with Akram, Waqar was known for his deadly inswinging yorkers and reverse swing at high speeds, earning him countless wickets and respect from the cricketing world.
4. Dale Steyn (South Africa)
With extreme pace and a knack for swing, Steyn dominated batters worldwide during his time. His ability to combine speed with outswing and inswing deliveries made him one of the best modern-day bowlers.
5. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Boult’s ability to swing the ball both ways, even on flat pitches, has made him a key asset for New Zealand in all formats.
6. Kapil Dev (India)
A pioneer of swing bowling in India, Kapil Dev’s ability to swing the ball consistently earned him accolades and helped India win the 1983 World Cup.
These legends have redefined the art of swing bowling, leaving an everlasting legacy in the sport. However, in recent times, a new Swing king has emerged troubling the batters of the current generation.
Who is the Swing King in Cricket?
Hailing from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Bhubaneswar Kumar rose to the ranks with his exceptional bowling skills. In a generation, when bowlers focus on increasing their pace and variation, Kumar led the Swing legacy forward. Widely known as ‘Bhuvi’, Kumar mastered the art of swing bowling in today’s batter dominant cricket with flat pitches and other unfavorable conditions.
Consequently, the 35-year-old is called the “Swing King in Cricket” of this generation. Kumar made his international debut in 2012 against Pakistan. Playing under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, he won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy for India. Notably, he was the first bowler to win the IPL Purple Cap in two consecutive seasons. It is remarkable for a swing dominant bowler to have achieved this feat in the shortest format of the game.
On top of that, he is the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is.
Conclusion
No doubt, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the finest swing bowlers India has ever produced. His exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways earned him the status of Swing King in cricket amongst fans and experts alike. His lethal inswingers made him a highly effective option who could deceive batters with the ball’s movement even in the shortest format of the game. Bhuvneshwar is also known for his pinpoint accuracy which makes it difficult for batters to score freely.