Atul Sharma

[Arjun]

Then he should have no problem running through a few grade sides

Even then, he'll have to choose a State team. There are several Grade cricketers in Mumbai who can't play for Mumbai because the competition is too strong, so they travel elsewhere, particularly Baroda, Goa and Maharashtra, and do well for those teams. I've just explored various possibilities for such a player.

 

[Polo23]

I like it that people see some flimsy ass video (which doesnt anywhere indicate how quick this kid is bowling) and are immediately convinced this guy is some sort of superstar bowling 150km/h. So we have evidence that the guy is real, and he is a bowler (with a weird action). So far there has been no evidence that he is express pace or capable of getting good batsmen out.

Lets see him in a game ffs before we start talking about him representing India.

 

[Arjun]

I like it that people see some flimsy ass video (which doesnt anywhere indicate how quick this kid is bowling) and are immediately convinced this guy is some sort of superstar bowling 150km/h. So we have evidence that the guy is real, and he is a bowler (with a weird action). So far there has been no evidence that he is express pace or capable of getting good batsmen out.

Lets see him in a game ffs before we start talking about him representing India.

Nobody among the majority suggests that he should be in the team straightaway. If you ask me, there's no reason to change the Zaheer-Ishant combination, as it's just right. If anything, the team has too many specialist seamers, and should trim down on that- accommodate a spinner and a batsman who can bowl seam-up. However, this bloke has looked a lot more promising than some Indian pacers, including some current regulars, who seem to be going about it in a very leisurely manner- he has a lot more intensity. While he shouldn't play rightaway, he can, however, finish a few FC seasons on top of the charts and then he'll have a chance.

 

[Polo23]

Nobody among the majority suggests that he should be in the team straightaway. If you ask me, there's no reason to change the Zaheer-Ishant combination, as it's just right. If anything, the team has too many specialist seamers, and should trim down on that- accommodate a spinner and a batsman who can bowl seam-up. However, this bloke has looked a lot more promising than some Indian pacers, including some current regulars, who seem to be going about it in a very leisurely manner- he has a lot more intensity. While he shouldn't play rightaway, he can, however, finish a few FC seasons on top of the charts and then he'll have a chance.

The point is that you are talking about him as if he is good enough to play international cricket. Based on what? A flimsy video of him doing 1 minute of training exercises and bowling a couple of balls in the nets with a javelin throwers action?

How exactly do you know how much intensity he has when it comes to training? How do you even know he's good enough to play FC cricket? As of yet he hasn't made any rep teams and no one has seen him play. To suggest he is just going to start blasting batsmen out (FC, international or otherwise) is ludicrous based on the evidence put forth so far.

I'm not saying this bloke doesn't have potential or that he definitely won't represent his country but I could piece together a similar video of myself doing those exercises and running in to bowl off a few yards, that wouldnt suddenly make me a world class bowler.

 

[Athlai]

The point is that you are talking about him as if he is good enough to play international cricket. Based on what? A flimsy video of him doing 1 minute of training exercises and bowling a couple of balls in the nets with a javelin throwers action?

How exactly do you know how much intensity he has when it comes to training? How do you even know he's good enough to play FC cricket? As of yet he hasn't made any rep teams and no one has seen him play. To suggest he is just going to start blasting batsmen out (FC, international or otherwise) is ludicrous based on the evidence put forth so far.

I'm not saying this bloke doesn't have potential or that he definitely won't represent his country but I could piece together a similar video of myself doing those exercises and running in to bowl off a few yards, that wouldnt suddenly make me a world class bowler.

Ian Pont is basically the answer to that question, a very well regarded fast bowling coach rates him. If he's serving up porky pies then that'd make him look bad.

 

[Ponty]

The video montage was my way of saying, ''here he is''. But it's not an advert for his bowling speed or what he can do with a batsman as we haven't shown that. The montage is a flavour, a taste to create interest and debate - good or bad.

No one could POSSIBLY tell from those if he can be the next Shoaib. The point of them was again to showcase his look, build, style of bowling and the fact he can deliver a decent pace with little attack to the crease. His full run up makes it a completely different ball game.

Just to help you guys to look more closely - his bowling clips are in TRAINING SHOES and not even spikes. This was a non turf crease so he couldn't wear spikes, which have his inserts in and support. If you can still look quick off a short run up, without trying that hard, with no real ground speed and in your training shoes it says something.

Atul is different - YES. And that's the entire point. You can get excited by that or be critical of that but everyone has an opinion and that's great for this forum.

Finally, I have read much rubbish about being too big, bulky or muscled as being an injury risk. Power bowlers and throwers with explosive actions need support, strength and flexibility to create a stable action that is as stress-free as possible. If you do this you have LESS injuries not more. Cricket has JUST STARTED to get into strength & conditioning training (S&C), learned from other explosive power sports. So please do not compare training regimes of 20 or 10 years ago with today, or cricket's poor record of S&C compared to other sports. Legends like Botham, Kapil Dev, Imran etc wouldn't last (or wish to do it) in today's fitness levels and training regimes. But they were still amazing bowlers and cricketers back then.

All sports move on and many of the things runners used to do 30 years ago to prepare are almost laughable today. It doesn't make them wrong, or make new things right. But it does show that things change for the better (usually) with S&C becoming ABSOLUTELY KEY for a modern cricketer - and as I work in FC and international cricket I know what's expected. It's rapidly changing.

Atul has chosen to make himself strong, fast and supple and I don't have ANY issue with that. Others may not have his dedication to looking after himself and that's fine, but why he looks impressive is that he hasn't taken cricket's old fashioned approach to training. He's writing his own manual for that and others in cricket are mightily impressed with what he's done.

It doesn't make him a better or a lesser bowler - just more likely to be able to absorb the stresses and strains of the fast bowling workload. I think we are more likely to see cricketers looking like Athletes in the next few years than ever. The modern game, money at stake and amount of cricket almost demand it.

 

[Top_Cat]

The video montage was my way of saying, ''here he is''. But it's not an advert for his bowling speed or what he can do with a batsman as we haven't shown that. The montage is a flavour, a taste to create interest and debate - good or bad.

Provokes a question - what's the point of all this? I mean, to use your example, Shoaib was hyped because of performances in matches, not because he was quick. That really came later but he'd had a fairly solid base of actual cricket before he started on the whole 'world's fastest bowler' competition with Lee. With Sharma, what's it all leading to if he's looking decidedly unlikely to play for anyone serious any time soon?

 

[Ponty]

Provokes a question - what's the point of all this?

The point was to show proof Atul is real, alive and genuine. What you make of it is up to you but it covers many of the things people were saying about Atul as I made them up (strength, fitness, pace bowling etc).

Posters criticised for not knowing a thing. Now some criticise for knowing something. You cannot win and whatever is said some people will just be critical. It's life. We're chilled out about it.

We gave you proof of his existance. I'm sure more will surface in the media over the next few weeks.

 

[irfan]

The point was to show proof Atul is real, alive and genuine. What you make of it is up to you but it covers many of the things people were saying about Atul as I made them up (strength, fitness, pace bowling etc).

Posters criticised for not knowing a thing. Now some criticise for knowing something. You cannot win and whatever is said some people will just be critical. It's life. We're chilled out about it.

We gave you proof of his existance. I'm sure more will surface in the media over the next few weeks.

Any chance we could see him in a game soon?

 

[ret]

The point is that you are talking about him as if he is good enough to play international cricket. Based on what? A flimsy video of him doing 1 minute of training exercises and bowling a couple of balls in the nets with a javelin throwers action?

How exactly do you know how much intensity he has when it comes to training? How do you even know he's good enough to play FC cricket? As of yet he hasn't made any rep teams and no one has seen him play. To suggest he is just going to start blasting batsmen out (FC, international or otherwise) is ludicrous based on the evidence put forth so far.

I'm not saying this bloke doesn't have potential or that he definitely won't represent his country but I could piece together a similar video of myself doing those exercises and running in to bowl off a few yards, that wouldnt suddenly make me a world class bowler.

clearly, many are suggesting that IF he is really good then he could get to play for India if he does well in IPL. ofc, it's taken that he has to show that he is good enough to play for India or domestic teams for that matter .... I don't think it is suggested that he play for India based on that footage. It is what you have understood to have been suggested. Surely, if you can understand that a footage is not conclusive then others can too!

I also read some comments where some ppl talk abt how different it is bowling in nets and in matches, blah blah but I would imagine that everyone here understands that. And that's why folks are eager to see him play for Royals so that they can judge how good the hype is!

 

[silentstriker]

Well, he isn't good enough to make the Royals team....so I think the Indian test side is a small bit away.

 

[Jamee999]

Injury prone, imo

 

[Smudge]

Injury prone, imo

He'd fit right in here in NZ...

 

[PhoenixFire]

hahahahah....... he is injured you fool. This was stated. He had a fielding accident in a practice match - nothing to do with his bowling.

With idiots around like this sitting around trying to be smart or funny it's no wonder real cricket fans get frustrated with stupid comments on web forums.

Regardless of who you are, addressing people like this is unacceptable, please refrain from it in the future.

 

[ret]

Well, he isn't good enough to make the Royals team....so I think the Indian test side is a small bit away.

Playing for India does not mean playing only in the test team! IF he does well in the IPL the logical next step would be given a chance in one of the T20/ODI games .... But like you said, he first has to make it to the RR team and then show that he is good enough to be given an opportunity to play at international level!

 

[Polo23]

Then posters should show some respect and not take the p*** all the time. It's OK for them to do that is it? Some of this stuff is just purile.

For what it's worth, I don't see how calling someone a fool when they have been, is unacceptable. Idiotic and ill thought out suggestions are wrecking informed debate.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but please, let's have it on SOME sort of factual base?

It's hard to not take the piss when this whole "Atul Sharma - 100mph bowler" seems like a piss take in itself.

I'm sure when everyone sees him play a game, and he really is as good as you've hyped him up to be then everyone will shut up. Until then, live with it, this is a forum.

 

[Flem274*]

Is this guy really Ian Pont, I mean, don't coaches go to PR lessons to learn how to deal with hostile critisicm (sic) diplomatically?

Anyway, at the irony of a world class bowling coach calling the biggest "I love bowlers, I hate batsmen" guy on the forum a fool.

 

[Goughy]

The video montage was my way of saying, ''here he is''. But it's not an advert for his bowling speed or what he can do with a batsman as we haven't shown that. The montage is a flavour, a taste to create interest and debate - good or bad.

What is the point of that? We already have interest- good or bad. What we dont have is anything concrete. That video gives the viewer nothing.

Who gives a **** if he can hop up steps? Show us a bowler or stop hyping the **** out of this.

 

[jeevan]

Then posters should show some respect and not take the p*** all the time. It's OK for them to do that is it? Some of this stuff is just purile.

For what it's worth, I don't see how calling someone a fool when they have been, is unacceptable. Idiotic and ill thought out suggestions are wrecking informed debate.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but please, let's have it on SOME sort of factual base?

We would, if we knew what to show respect to. It is hard to figure what to do with some guy in a video running with a tire strapped to his waist, when youtube is kind of awash with people pulling trucks and planes with their bodies.

If, as claimed, Atul Sharma can bowl a cricket ball at ~ 100mph (within ICC bowling action rules) - a video of that would be nice. 105mph on a speed gun certainly will settle most doubts, even if it involves Harmison-grade accuracy to account for the fact that he may not be the finished goods yet.

Problem with the Atul Sharma case is exactly a complete absence of factual base. All we have, with due respect to the real or purported Ian Pont, are a bunch of assertions - not the same thing.

 

[jeevan]

Then posters should show some respect and not take the p*** all the time. It's OK for them to do that is it? Some of this stuff is just purile.

For what it's worth, I don't see how calling someone a fool when they have been, is unacceptable. Idiotic and ill thought out suggestions are wrecking informed debate.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but please, let's have it on SOME sort of factual base?

And you dont have to take this personally, either.

Imran Khan has asserted repeatedly that Mohd Sami was a good fast bowler. The factual base there is that Sami has played a good bit of international cricket (which more or less places him in the top 1% of all bowlers). But neither that nor Imran's own extraordinary accomplishments have prevented a good amount of derision going their way.

You and your protege, sir, have been dealt with far more kindly to date.