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Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Fancy shots, fast runs: T20 cricket reshapes batting DNA
Vadodara: For decades, the go-to mantra for budding cricketers was simple: "Play with a straight bat, hit in the V, keep the ball down." But the rise of T20 cricket has turned that wisdom on its head. A new generation of players is now embracing audacious, unorthodox shots — driven by the demands of the shortest format and the success of IPL stars like Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant. "T20 cricket is all about innovation along with technique," said Kedar Devdhar, former Baroda Ranji captain who now coaches young players. "Aspiring batsmen want to master the ramp shot, the reverse scoop — shots that surprise the field and bring in quick runs." While traditional batting foundations remain part of coaching curriculums, the appetite for innovation is growing. "I trained for years in traditional batting techniques," Vishwas Patel told TOI, a left-handed batter in the Baroda Cricket Association's Under-19 team. "But in T20s, it's about scoring fast. I've been working on unconventional shots in the nets and using them in matches." Patel credits the influence of Indian stars for this shift. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Portable Stairlifts Require No Installation in 2025 (Take a Look) Topicsift Learn More Undo "When players like Surya Kumar and Pant score with such shots, it motivates us to learn and try the same." Techniques like the reverse drive, scoop shot, and reverse pull are now staples in T20 training routines. Coaches are adapting. "Many young players now come to us asking to learn fancy shots," said Ketan Panchal, who trains players at Motibaug Cricket Club. "We teach them, but only after making sure their basics are strong." At Vadodara Cricket Academy, head coach Harendra Patel agrees. "T20 cricket has changed everything. Youngsters want to shine in leagues like the IPL. They're chasing quick runs, big scores, and recognition. As coaches, we have to evolve too." Yet, the veterans remain cautious. Devdhar warned that flashy shots shouldn't come at the cost of technique. "These strokes are for T20s. In ODIs and Tests, patience and orthodox batting still win games."
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From the field to commentary, Gujarat cricketers keep fans entertained
Vadodara: Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More would often chatter behind the stumps when a batsman nearly edged the ball or barely survived a delivery during a match. More has now retired, but his catchy and humorous phrases are still a hit among cricket fans listening to his commentary while watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) games on a streaming app. While spectators cheer for batsmen smashing sixes or bowlers delivering toe-crushing yorkers, the analysis in regional languages by More and other former and current cricketers from Gujarat keeps fans hooked to the game online. "I do commentary in Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi and sometimes English too. It's a different experience but equally exciting as we are in the thick of things while narrating whatever is happening on the field," More, who did multilingual commentary for three years, told TOI. "We observe the players, explain their techniques and provide historical anecdotes of interesting matches. What surprised me was that people listen to the commentary keenly, give feedback and sometimes point out mistakes too," More said. Another former India cricketer from Vadodara, Atul Bedade , is also a multilingual commentator in the IPL. "Doing commentary in Marathi and Hindi is fun as regional languages offer a rich vocabulary and idioms that I often use. While it may seem easy, commentary is a tough job as we don't just narrate what happens on the field but also analyse and give insights," Bedade said. Manpreet Juneja, a first-class cricketer for Saurashtra, doesn't just offer analysis but also adds a fun element with witty phrases such as "Raas pachhi dandia, aaya Hardik Pandya" or "Hai huku haay, ball 6 run maate jaaye". "It's not just about serious analysis. We must make commentary interesting and fun to listen to for online spectators. I love it as it brings out that creative side in me," said Juneja, who is a Punjabi but does commentary in Gujarati and Hindi. He added that he never criticises players or their game and always tries to focus on positive aspects of the sport. "Fans can see what's happening on the field, so the challenge is to narrate the game in an interesting way. I try to look at the game from the bowler's perspective and add my experience to the commentary. It has given me a new perspective. Gujarati is also spoken in various accents across the state, so I try to speak in a manner that is liked by all," said Bhargav Bhatt, a Baroda Ranji player. Former Baroda pacer Rakesh Patel and Saurashtra first-class cricketer Sheldon Jackson are also doing commentary in the ongoing IPL.
