A doosra is one of the most famous deliveries in cricket. It is mainly used by off-spin bowlers to surprise batters. The word “doosra” means “the other one” in Hindi and Urdu. Unlike a normal off-spin delivery, which turns into a right-handed batter, a doosra spins in the opposite direction. This unexpected turn makes it difficult for batters to read the ball.
What Is a Doosra?
A doosra is a special variation bowled by an off-spinner. It looks similar to a regular off-spin ball when it leaves the bowler’s hand, but it turns the other way after pitching.
How Is a Doosra Bowled?
Bowling a doosra is not easy. It requires a different wrist and finger position while keeping the bowling action similar to a normal off-spin delivery.
The bowler tries to:
Why Is the Doosra So Effective?
The doosra is successful because it surprises the batter. If the batter expects a normal off-spinner, the ball turning the other way can lead to:
Famous Bowlers Who Bowled the Doosra
Saqlain Mushtaq
Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq is widely known as the inventor of the doosra. He introduced the delivery in international cricket and made it famous around the world.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan used the doosra along with his other spin variations. His skill made him one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history.
Harbhajan Singh
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also bowled the doosra during his career and used it to trouble many top batters.
Shoaib Malik
Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik occasionally used the doosra as part of his off-spin bowling.
Difference Between Off-Spin and Doosra
| Off-Spin | Doosra |
|---|---|
| Turns into a right-handed batter | Turns away from a right-handed batter |
| Standard off-spinner delivery | Surprise variation |
| Easier to bowl | More difficult to master |
The doosra is one of cricket’s most exciting spin deliveries. It gives off-spinners an extra weapon to outsmart batters by making the ball turn in the opposite direction. Although it is difficult to bowl, players like Saqlain Mushtaq, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Harbhajan Singh made it a famous and effective delivery in international cricket.