Ambidextrous bowler Akshay Karnewar stuns the Aussies

The Australians took on the Indian Board President XI on September 12th, ahead of their limited overs series against the Indians. However, the Aussies were left stunned by 24-year-old Akshay Karnewar who plays domestic cricket for Vidarbha. No, it was not because of his magic with the ball but his ability to bowl with both hands.

Akshay Karnewar is an ambidextrous bowler who can bowl accurately and with the same amount of quality with both his hands. The bowler did exactly the same against Australia which left Aussie all rounder Marcus Stoinis speechless. Stoinis went on to state that he has never seen this kind of a talent at any level of cricket.

Off spinner, Karnewar bowled with his right arm to the left handed players like Matthew Wade and Travis Head but decided to change his arm when while bowling to the right handers. The umpire signaled the man on strike Marcus Stoinis that Karnewar is not only changing side but will also be changing his hand. Karnewar carried this on throughout his six overs in the match at the Chepauk Stadium but failed to trouble the Australians.

The Aussies smashed Karnewar for 59 runs in his 6 overs but Stonis praised the bowler after the match. “I actually didn’t know what the umpire was trying to tell me,” Stoinis said. “He was trying to say ‘he’s going to bowl left arm to you’. added Stoinis.

“So that’s brilliant by him. I’ve never seen that before. Ever” he added.

Australia went on to win the match by 103 runs after putting on a hefty total of 347 on the board. The Board Presidents XI could manage only 244 runs with the bat in their reply. However, Karnewar is not the first ambidextrous bowler as a Pakistani bowler named Yasir Jan came into limelight last year for his ability to bowl with both hands. To add to that he is a fast bowler and can bowl consistently over 135 kph with both hands.