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What is a doosra?

The doosra is typically bowled by an off-spinner. Unlike the traditional off-break that spins into the batsman from the off, this ball behaves more like a leg-break. Therefore this ball can be a surprise variation for a typical offspinner.  The doosra (or the other one) was first perfected by Saqlain Mushtaq but was made famous by Murali.

The Grip

The grip for the Doosra is identical to the offspinner’s grip. The seam of the ball running down the fingers and most of the spin being imparted by the index finger.

At the point of Release

To disguise the doosra follow a regular bowling action similar to bowling an off-break. Just before the time of the release, you will rotate the wrist so that it now faces the batsman at the same time inducing more rotation on the ball by using your shoulder as well. Try not to bend the elbow if possible as this might be a giveaway to batsman.

At Release

At the time of the release your wrist should be facing the batsman and your fingers should spin the ball similar to an off-break. But the changed wrist position causes the ball to behave like a leg-break. This finger spin along with the rotation from the wrist and shoulder imparts the spin to leg-break.

Perfecting the Doosra

Although the finger spin helps most of the effectiveness of the doosra comes from the rotation of the wrist and the shoulder.  So you will need to make your wrist as supple as possible.  The doosra is most effective when pitched on the off and middle on a good length and its breaking away from the batsman can result in an edge, batsman being bowled or also being stumped depending upon the flight, length and amount of spin.  The most important aspect is to disguise it by either bowling at a fastish pace and/or changing the wrist position at the very last moment.