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[Saba Sports News] Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar shared his technique for handling reverse swing, a skill honed against greats like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Dale Steyn, James Anderson, and Umar Gul.
Tendulkar revealed that he used to tape one side of a tennis ball and practice watching the shiny side to master reverse swing.
Speaking to The Times of India, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of reverse swing, noting that it will play a significant role in the upcoming Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) starting January 26.
“During my playing days, I used to tape the ball up from one side. In season (leather) balls, we look for the shiny and the rough side and in the tennis ball, we would apply tape on one side and I used to practice reverse swing to face it in international cricket,” Tendulkar shared.
Trials for the league begin in October, and Sachin highlighted that this format will test batters’ techniques while giving bowlers a much-needed advantage.
He expressed his excitement for the ISPL, seeing it as a platform to showcase untapped talent and broaden the reach of cricket in India, hoping it will make a lasting impact on the sport and inspire young cricketers to dream big.
“I thought why not introduce it in this format and if this is implemented then the batter’s technique will also be tested. If we are giving some advantage to the batsmen then the bowlers also need to get in the game,” he said.
“The ISPL is about giving a platform to those who may not have had the opportunity to showcase their talent. The tournament has brought the joy of the game to new audiences and opened doors for young cricketers across the country. It is my hope that the league continues to grow and make a lasting impact on Indian cricket, giving every player a chance to dream big,” he added.