Tennis ball cricket can help batsmen improve shots: Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad

Rohit Sharma’s youth coach Dinesh Lad is one of the numerous greats who were influenced by the league’s extraordinary skill and structure. Dinesh Lad, a Dronacharya Awardee and former cricket player, praises the league’s potential for players as well as the value of tennis-ball cricket in a player’s early years.

Tennis-ball cricket is the foundation for many in a country where millions of people follow cricket like a religion. Young, aspiring cricket players use a tennis ball to weave their fantasies along the street. Those dreams have been given a stage by the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL).

The league, which is now in its second edition, has captured the interest of people all throughout the nation and brought together a remarkable blend of young and seasoned athletes. Excitement is building daily at Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane as the playoffs prepare to kick off Season 2.

“So far, the league has been incredibly thrilling. Observing the ISPL players in action makes me wish that a league like this had existed during our own era. Like many others, I began playing tennis-ball cricket, which is a challenging activity. To help young players improve their skills, I prefer to start them off with a tennis ball, Lad added.

“A cricket player’s development depends on playing tennis-ball cricket.” A tennis ball is what most cricket players begin with, and you can continue to play with it during the rainy season. Among other things, it helps a cricketer improve their skills, particularly the batsman’s pull shots,” he continued.

Lad, who as a child taught India captain Rohit Sharma, thought back on the influence tennis-ball cricket had on him.

A damp tennis ball would skid down the lane as he practiced with it. Lad remarked, “I believe that Rohit’s practice with a tennis ball helped him improve his shots because of the way he plays straight shots and then pull shots.”

According to Lad, who began his cricket career as a tennis ball bowler before switching to leather balls, the ISPL is a fantastic place for aspiring players to start. It is fantastic to see a tennis ball league like the ISPL being held for the second year in a row, even if there are already a number of leather ball cricket competitions. Suraj Samat deserves recognition for starting this league.

At one point, we thought tennis-ball cricket had ended. Additionally, I used to bowl effectively when I used a tennis ball, but switching to a leather ball had an impact on my performance. As the league develops, I believe it’s a good chance for the players to perform better,” he stated.

Lad stated that there is no denying the possibility that tennis cricket leagues such as the Indian Premier League might produce future players like Rohit Sharma. It’s possible that the league will develop talented athletes who can compete both domestically and abroad. There has been some amazing action, particularly when the bowlers have been preventing the batters from making big shots.

Tennis cricket is quite popular in nations like the West Indies. Even legendary cricket players like Vivian Richards made the switch from tennis-ball cricket. There is potential if one does well on a regular basis. Because players can improve their pull shots, square cuts, and other skills with a tennis ball, I believe the league offers more potential for the batters,” Lad stated.

The ISPL has witnessed some outstanding player action in its second season. As fans supported their favourites, the six teams have been slugging it out for a fierce game of tennis ball-cricket since the competition began on January 26. Fans can expect an exciting penultimate matchup when Majhi Mumbai and Falcon Risers Hyderabad square off in the Qualifier 1 on February 12. The grand finale of Season 2 will take place on February 15.