In cricket, what is a "knuckle ball" in limited-overs cricket?
VerifiedAnswer: A slower, no-spin delivery bowled with knuckles/fingertips to create unpredictable movement and deceive batsmen.
Explanation:
The knuckle ball is one of the most fascinating and challenging deliveries in cricket, particularly popular in limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s. Unlike traditional bowling techniques where the ball is gripped with fingertips, the knuckle ball is bowled using the knuckles or fingertips to grip the ball, creating a unique release mechanism that makes the ball's trajectory unpredictable.
The primary purpose of this delivery is to deceive the batsman through variation in pace and movement. When a bowler delivers a knuckle ball, the ball travels significantly slower than their regular deliveries, often dropping 15-20 kilometers per hour from their usual pace. This sudden change in speed can throw off a batsman's timing, especially when they're expecting a faster delivery.
What makes the knuckle ball particularly effective is its unpredictable movement through the air. Since the ball is released with minimal or no rotation (unlike spin bowling), it tends to move erratically as it travels toward the batsman. The ball may dip suddenly, move sideways, or change its trajectory in ways that are difficult to predict, making it challenging for batsmen to line up their shots properly.
Several international cricketers have mastered this art and use it effectively in limited-overs cricket. Players like Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan, and more recently, Jasprit Bumrah have incorporated knuckle balls into their bowling arsenal. The delivery is particularly useful in death overs when batsmen are looking to score quickly and may be caught off guard by the sudden change in pace.
From a technical standpoint, bowling a knuckle ball requires considerable practice and skill. The bowler must maintain their regular bowling action while changing only the grip and release mechanism. This ensures that the batsman cannot easily identify the variation from the bowler's approach or action, maintaining the element of surprise that makes this delivery so effective.
The knuckle ball is especially valuable in limited-overs cricket because it serves as an excellent change-of-pace delivery that can break the rhythm of aggressive batting. In formats where batsmen look to score quickly, this unexpected slower delivery often results in mistimed shots, leading to catches or bowled dismissals when batsmen are through their shots too early.
