Batters Who Can Bowl in Indian Cricket

Finding batters who can bowl in Indian cricket has long been a challenge for the national team, and recent seasons have only underlined how rare such players have become. With the Asia Cup squad announcement around the corner, the team looks well-balanced for this tournament. Encouragingly, this time there’s a top-order batter who can bowl either regularly or when needed — a skill India has been missing for quite some time. This not only adds variety but also provides a safety net if one of the frontline bowlers has an off day.

In the past, India had legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly who often came to the rescue with their part time bowling. Tendulkar’s mix of off spin, leg spin, and medium pace variations often outfoxed batters, while Ganguly’s gentle medium pace with a disciplined line and length made him a reliable option. They were so effective that both have five wicket hauls to their names in limited overs cricket, a rare feat for players known primarily for their batting.

However, in the past decade, after the absence of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, India has missed this luxury, which has affected the overall balance of the side. While the team had world class batters and exceptional bowlers, there was no one in the batting order who could chip in with a few overs if a bowler struggled. Yes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar could contribute with the bat, but the reverse, batters stepping in to help with the ball, was largely missing.

Successful teams around the world continue to enjoy this advantage. Australia has Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head, both capable of bowling useful part time off spin. Maxwell took the main wicket of the opposition in the high stakes 2023 ODI World Cup Final, while Head claimed two crucial wickets in a semi final of the same tournament. South Africa relies on Aiden Markram’s tidy off spin, and England turns to Joe Root’s occasional overs when needed. The value is clear. If a team plays with five specialist bowlers and a bowling all rounder, any injury or bad day leaves no room for backup unless a top order batter can roll their arm over.

So why have Indian batters not embraced this role in recent years? Are they too focused on refining their batting technique? Is the emphasis on fitness and power hitting taking away time from bowling in the nets? Or is it simply a mindset shift where batting only roles are seen as enough? Whatever the reason, the absence of such multi skilled batters has been noticeable.

The Impact Player rule in the IPL is not helping in this case. While it was introduced to give teams the flexibility to bring in a specialist batter or bowler as a substitute, it has ended up reducing the role of all rounders and part time bowlers. With the option to swap players mid game, captains often prefer loading the side with pure specialists. This leaves little incentive for a batter to work on their bowling or for a bowler to develop their batting. Several players and coaches have pointed out that the rule is slowly diminishing the value of versatile cricketers.

There are a few signs of hope. Abhishek Sharma has shown in domestic cricket and the IPL that he can combine aggressive batting with handy left arm spin. Venkatesh Iyer has also offered medium pace along with his middle order batting and has expressed interest in developing his bowling further. Shreyas Iyer is primarily a batter but could potentially add a part time bowling option if he invests time into it. Beyond these names, the list is worryingly short, which is a reflection of the system not prioritising this skill in top order players.

In the long run, this could hurt the Indian team in international cricket, where substitutions are not allowed. The format demands adaptability. A batter who can deliver even four or five overs in a match provides a tactical cushion and allows more aggressive bowling combinations without risking imbalance. It also means that if a bowler gets injured or has an off day, the captain is not left scrambling for options.

The importance of this skill cannot be overstated. It not only adds depth to the squad but also increases the chances of breaking partnerships at unexpected moments. Part time bowlers often succeed because batters underestimate them. The likes of Maxwell, Markram, and Root have all thrived in such situations, turning games with the ball despite being picked primarily for their batting.

For India to reclaim that advantage, there needs to be a cultural shift in how batters approach their game. Encouraging bowling from a young age, giving top order players opportunities to bowl in domestic matches, and rewarding those who contribute in multiple disciplines can bring back this lost art. It is not about turning every batter into a full fledged all rounder, but about creating enough capable part timers so that the team always has options in hand.

If the current squad indeed includes a top order batter who can bowl, it will be a step in the right direction. The real challenge will be to ensure that this is not a one off occurrence but a long term strategy. The most successful teams have had batters who could deliver with the ball and bowlers who could chip in with the bat. Reviving that formula could be the difference between being competitive and being dominant in the years to come.