The Doosra is a specific type of delivery bowled by an off-spin bowler in the sport of cricket. The name "doosra" is derived from Hindi/Urdu, meaning "the second one" or "the other one," implying a deceptive variation from the bowler's standard delivery.
Description and Mechanism: A standard off-break delivery from a right-arm off-spinner spins from leg-side to off-side (away from a right-handed batsman). The doosra, however, is bowled with an action that appears identical to an off-break but results in the ball spinning in the opposite direction – from off-side to leg-side (into a right-handed batsman), much like a leg-break or a googly from a leg-spinner. This reverse spin is achieved by the bowler turning the wrist in an opposite direction at the point of release, often involving a hyper-extended wrist or a different finger placement compared to a conventional off-break. For a left-arm orthodox spinner, the equivalent delivery is often called the "flipper" or "slider," which also spins away from a right-handed batsman, or less commonly, a delivery that spins back in (similar to an off-break for a left-armer) but from a conventional orthodox action.
Origin and Development: The doosra is widely credited to Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who first unveiled the delivery in international cricket during the late 1990s. He developed it as a potent weapon to deceive batsmen who had become accustomed to his traditional off-break and quicker deliveries. Its effectiveness quickly made it a sought-after skill for off-spinners globally.
Controversy and Legality: The doosra has been a subject of significant controversy regarding the legality of the bowling action required to deliver it. The physical mechanics involved in achieving the reverse spin often lead to the bowler's elbow extending beyond the permissible 15-degree limit set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a legal bowling action. Numerous bowlers who effectively used the doosra, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh, Shoaib Malik, and Saeed Ajmal, have faced scrutiny and been reported for suspect bowling actions at various points in their careers. While some were cleared after remediation or advanced biomechanical testing, the delivery remains associated with challenges in maintaining a legal action. Despite the controversies, the doosra has become an integral part of modern spin bowling, forcing batsmen to adapt and anticipate unexpected spin.