Tendulkar, a key figure in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), introduced the concept of reverse swing to the tennis-ball tournament, aiming to elevate the level of competition and challenge players technically.
The second season of the ISPL, featuring six teams, is scheduled for January 26 to February 9, 2025, at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane. Trials will be held across 55 cities in five zones starting in October, with provisions for additional camps in cities not included in the initial list.
Tendulkar highlighted the need to balance advantages between batsmen and bowlers in the league, which features unique rules like the “50-50” and awarding nine runs for specific shots.
“If we are giving some advantage to the batsmen then the bowlers also need to get in the game,” Tendulkar said.
He emphasized that introducing reverse swing using taped tennis balls would test batsmen’s technique, adding, “During my playing days, I used to tape the ball up from one side. In season (leather) balls, we look for the shiny and the rough side and in the tennis ball, we would apply tape on one side and I used to practice reverse swing to face it in international cricket. I thought why not introduce it in this format and if this is implemented then the batter’s technique will also be tested.”
Initially, bowlers in the ISPL were unaccustomed to bowling with taped balls and generating reverse swing, leading to inconsistencies in line and length. Tendulkar addressed this by conducting workshops with coaches, noting, “The first thing they needed to learn was to think about the release point and the place between point A and B – I’ll call it A plus – you target that and the ball will undoubtedly go to the batter.”
He stressed the significance of bowlers trusting their instincts and aiming for a specific spot rather than focusing solely on the batsman, especially when dealing with reverse swing. This adjustment, according to Tendulkar, was crucial for bowlers to regain control and utilize the taped ball effectively.
