In a nation where millions fervently follow cricket, tennis-ball cricket has played the role of a stepping stone for many of the budding cricketers. It is under the sun in the streets where young dreams get made, while the sound of tennis balls continues to echo in the air as they race over the pavement. The Indian Street Premier League has been a game-changer offering a platform on which these dreams can shine brightly and reach further.
The ISPL, in its ongoing second edition, has got everyone excited throughout the country as it brings a dynamic mix of young talent and experienced cricketers. With the league heading into the playoffs, the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane is at its electric best, with fans waiting with bated breath for the action.
One notable figure impressed by the league’s success is Dinesh Lad, Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach and a former cricketer who’s been awarded the Dronacharya Award. Lad has spoken about the crucial role tennis-ball cricket plays in a cricketer’s formative years and praised the league for providing a stage for raw talent to showcase their skills.
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The league has been fantastic so far. Watching the players in the ISPL, I can only wish such a league existed when I was younger,” said Dinesh Lad. “Tennis-ball cricket is a tough sport. Like many cricketers, I started with tennis-ball cricket, and I believe in training young players using a tennis ball initially to help them sharpen their skills.
Dinesh Lad said that tennis-ball cricket is fundamental in the development of a cricketer’s fundamentals. “It helps cricketers improve their shots, particularly pull shots. Plus, you can still play during the rainy season, which makes it accessible throughout the year,” he explained.
‘I like to train budding players with a tennis ball’
Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad lauds ISPL
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Recalling the tennis-ball cricket experience with his great student, Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Lad remembered how Sharma practised with a tennis ball to hone his skills.
“Rohit used to practice with a wet tennis ball that skidded down the lane. The way he plays straight shots and pull shots, I believe it’s the tennis-ball practice that helped him perfect those techniques,” said Dinesh Lad. Starting off as a tennis ball boy, Lad has welcomed the ISPL as the best platform to kick-start any cricketer’s career. “There are already many tournaments with leather balls, but it’s fantastic to see a league like ISPL, using tennis balls, being organized for the second year in a row. Kudos to Suraj Samat for bringing this vision to life,” he said.
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Lad also mentioned that although there was a time when tennis-ball cricket seemed to be fading, leagues like ISPL give the format a much-needed boost. He remembered his own experiences with the tennis ball, how his performance changed when he shifted to the leather ball. “The ISPL provides an opportunity for players to improve and excel as the league continues,” he said.
Asked whether tennis-ball leagues like ISPL could produce future international stars, Lad was optimistic.
“There’s definitely potential. If players perform consistently well, they could find a place in national and even international teams. Tennis-ball cricket is popular in places like the West Indies, and even legends like Viv Richards transitioned from tennis-ball cricket. This league offers great potential for batsmen to sharpen their shots, especially the pull shot and square cut,” Dinesh Lad shared.
With the second season of ISPL at full swing, the fans have seen exciting cricket since its launch on 26th January. Six teams made it a hard battle to entertain the spectators, and Qualifier 1, featuring Majhi Mumbai against Falcon Risers Hyderabad on 12 February, will surely see the level of intensity high. An exciting finale of the great season is guaranteed in February on the 15th with the grand final.
