'Pakistan bowlers used to tamper the ball for reverse swing' - Praveen Kumar's shocking claim goes viral

Reverse swing is one of the deadliest weapons used by fast bowlers historically to trouble the batters after the cricket ball has gone old. The unique technique was introduced by Pakistan fast bowlers in international cricket who used to find ways of picking wickets on dead tracks through this art. However, it’s not something that comes easy for bowlers as it requires a special skill which isn’t mastered by everyone.

With time, the art is lost in oblivion with the two new balls being used in ODIs. Recently, former India fast bowler Praveen Kumar opened up on the nuances of reverse swing and made a shocking revelation that all teams used to tamper with the ball to bring it into effect, however, he further said that Pakistan players used to do it a bit more than others.

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"Everyone does a little bit; they (Pakistan bowlers) do it a bit more. That's what I've heard. Now, there are cameras everywhere. Earlier, all used to do it. And everyone knows as well. They would scratch it from one side, but one must know how to use that skill, too. If I scratch the ball and give to someone, one must have the skills to reverse-swing it. One has to learn that," Praveen said on Lallantop.

Watch the video here:

Notably, it’s Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Nawaz who’s credited with introducing the art of reverse swing to international cricket. The trick was later transferred to former Pakistan captain Imran Khan and taken ahead by the legendary seam-bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who’re known to be the deadliest bowling pair ever.

Praveen Kumar has his name on the Lord's honours board

Meanwhile, speaking of Praveen Kumar, the right-arm seamer made his international debut during an ODI against Pakistan in November 2007 and went on to play six Tests, 68 ODIs and ten T20Is for the country. The 37-year-old made a name for himself during the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka where he scalped ten wickets from just four matches helping India to a historic win down under.

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Apart from that, the Meerut-born cricketer also has 27 wickets to his name from six Tests which includes a best-ever figures of 5/106 against England at the iconic Lord’s.