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[Saba Sports News] Reverse swing, a formidable technique for fast bowlers to challenge batters with an aged ball, was initially showcased in international cricket by Pakistan’s fast bowlers. This skill, not easily mastered, allowed them to claim wickets even on unresponsive tracks. Over time, however, with the introduction of two new balls in ODIs, the prevalence of reverse swing has diminished.
Former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar recently shed light on the intricacies of reverse swing. In a surprising revelation, he stated that all teams once tampered with the ball to facilitate reverse swing, with Pakistan players allegedly doing it more extensively. “Everyone did a bit, but Pakistan bowlers did it more. That’s what I’ve heard. Before the advent of constant camera surveillance, this was common. It’s not just about tampering; one must also have the skill to utilize the altered ball for reverse swing,” Praveen commented on Lallantop.
Sarfaraz Nawaz from Pakistan is often credited with introducing reverse swing to the sport, a legacy carried forward by Imran Khan, and later perfected by the iconic duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Regarding Praveen Kumar, he made his international debut in an ODI against Pakistan in November 2007. His career includes six Tests, 68 ODIs, and ten T20Is. He is particularly remembered for his performance in the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Tri-series in Australia, claiming ten wickets in just four matches, contributing to India’s victory.
Praveen, hailing from Meerut, also has a distinguished record in Test cricket, with 27 wickets from six matches, including his best figures of 5/106 at Lord’s.