On Lucknow's streets, coach finds a rare catch

Wednesday April 16, 02:40 AM

Lucknow is famous for its nawabs and kebabs, and now for fast bowler RP Singh. But chances are that the Uttar Pradesh capital may soon be famous for a "unique" ball that, experts say, could contribute to finally making Team India a consistent fielding unit.

Delhi-based Railways coach Abhay Sharma's accidental discovery about the benefits of a red ball he first saw on the streets of Lucknow got his side adjudged the best fielding unit in the Ranji Trophy's Plate Group. Sanjay Bangar took the most catches (15) this season and together the Railways team grabbed more catches than any other side. Subsequently, Sharma's fielding drills had Mohammad Kaif, RP Singh and Murali Kartik raving about how the ball helps in improving catching. Abhay had coached Central Zone to the recent Deodhar Trophy victory, where their fielders lapped up everything that came their way.

"I was going somewhere with my family in Lucknow when I saw a group of children playing with that ball. I noticed that it was swinging a lot. Initially I thought it was because of the bowler's ability, but even I could get the ball to swing," Sharma told The Indian Express. "I went to the place where they had bought it - a small shop that sold these hand-made balls. The shopkeeper had only four balls at that time and I bought them, telling him I would need more for the future."

Red in colour and weighing about three ounces, it looks a bit like a tennis ball, but is almost as hard as the leather ball used in cricket. "It can hurt your fingers if you don't catch it properly, and it improves the reflexes because it swirls in the air.

"I realised it could be put to better use in fielding rather than batting because of the variation in bounce. Kaif, and RP were surprised when I used it during Deodhar Trophy practices. They all wanted to know where they could get it," Sharma said.

Catches win matches - undoubtedly the most clichéd statement in cricket, but the relevance of this ready-made phrase has been made more pertinent with changing formats and newer demands. Sharma might have turned down an IPL offer, but his drills picked from the streets of Lucknow might be used in a tournament that borrows heavily from everywhere for the sake of entertainment.

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