Feeling left out when the universe and their aunt is gripped by World Cup frenzy? Pepper your conversations with these fun cricketing terms and you might just fake your way through the cricket season.
Drop-in pitches
What it is: Portable pitches – essentially 22 yards of turf – which can be taken around the world and literally "dropped in" for a match. These come in handy in Australia and New Zealand, where stadiums are used for other sports such as rugby, unlike India, which has the luxury of stadiums dedicated to cricket.
What it’s not: Pitches with no bounce where a bowler ‘drops dead’ in exasperation!
How to use it:"Our bowlers are killing it on these drop-in pitches, look at Umesh Yadav’s carry!"
Switch hit
What it is: When a right-handed batsman swaps hands and rotates his body 180 degrees to bat like a left-hander, after the ball has been delivered. Popularised by David Warner, AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen aka KP, who first used it in a match against New Zealand in 2008.
What it’s not: Turning off the fan with a bat.
How to use it:“KP would have been proud of the switch hit that Glenn Maxwell hit against Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.”
The Dilscoop
What it is: Named after Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, where the batsman scoops the ball over the head of the wicketkeeper. A fielder won’t be able to stop this shot because the ball goes right behind the stumps.
What it’s not: A Bollywood romantic comedy.
How to use it: "The way Lanka were losing to Australia, Dilshan didn’t get a chance to play the Dilscoop!"
The Doosra
What it is: A ball where an off-spinner’s delivery goes away from the right hander, in the opposite direction. Bowled from the back of the hand, it is difficult for most batsmen to pick. Invented by Saqlain Mushtaq and popularised by Harbhajan Singh and Muttiah Muralitharan.
What it’s not: The ‘other’ man in your (extra) marital scheme of things.
How to use it:“Why doesn’t Ashwin use the Doosra, yaar!”
Helicopter shot
What it is: One of the toughest shots in the game, in which the batsman lifts a yorker from near the ground, forming an arc with the bat to send the ball soaring into the skies. Popularised by MS Dhoni, who learnt it from his late childhood friend Santosh Lal, when the two played tennis ball cricket in Ranchi.
What it’s not: A photo taken from a chopper!
How to use it: "It’s time Mahi brought out the Helicopter Shot!"
From HT Brunch, March 15
Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch
Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch
The Doosra
What it is: A ball where an off-spinner’s delivery goes away from the right hander, in the opposite direction. Bowled from the back of the hand, it is difficult for most batsmen to pick. Invented by Saqlain Mushtaq and popularised by Harbhajan Singh and Muttiah Muralitharan.
What it’s not: The ‘other’ man in your (extra) marital scheme of things.
How to use it:“Why doesn’t Ashwin use the Doosra, yaar!”Helicopter shot
What it is: One of the toughest shots in the game, in which the batsman lifts a yorker from near the ground, forming an arc with the bat to send the ball soaring into the skies. Popularised by MS Dhoni, who learnt it from his late childhood friend Santosh Lal, when the two played tennis ball cricket in Ranchi.
What it’s not: A photo taken from a chopper!
How to use it: "It’s time Mahi brought out the Helicopter Shot!"
From HT Brunch, March 15
Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch
Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch