Why should batsmen have all the fun, questions '360-degree' bowler Shiva Singh

A new controversy came up in the cricketing world when a 19-year-old bowler, Shiva Singh, bowled a ‘360-degree delivery’ on Day 3 of a Col. CK Nayudu Trophy match between Bengal and Uttar Pradesh yesterday. The delivery unsurprisingly caught the attention of the on-field umpire, Vinod Seshan, who without any hesitation declared it a ‘dead-ball’.

Shiva Singh, the Indian U19 World Cup winner, wasn’t amused by the umpire for calling it a ‘dead-ball’. Reportedly, the game was halted for some time as both the on-field umpires, Vinod Seshan and Ravi Shankar, discussed the matter with each other before informing Shiva and the UP captain, Shivam Chaudhary, that the offense must not be repeated, failing which, the delivery would be declared ‘dead’ again.

I use different variations in one-dayers and T20s

Shiva said to ESPN Cricinfo that the bowlers, just like batsmen – who are allowed to switch-hit and reverse-sweep, should be allowed to use a surprise element. “I use different variations in one-dayers and T20s so I thought of doing the same because the Bengal batsmen were developing a partnership. The umpires said dead ball, so I asked “why are you calling it a dead ball?”

He also went on to say that this was not the first time he had bowled like this. He had bowled a ball the same way against Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy recently without being questioned, “I delivered this 360-degree ball against Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well, where it was fine. Batsman always go for the reverse-sweep or the switch-hit against bowlers. But when bowlers do something like this it’s deemed a dead ball,” Shiva went on to add.

Shiva’s inability to continue with the 360-degree style did not affect the result of the game. UP inflicted an innings win over Bengal in three days, with Shiva taking four wickets in the match.

~ Written by Nahmat Maeraj

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