105 mph bowler unearthed

Let me just cover some of the points people asked:

1. Atul is a serious athlete (100m sprinter and very good). He's extremely fit and flexible with a great physique. Excuse me for saying this but very un-Indian. He is not tall, but strong and well built.

2. His action is unique - more specifically how we combine 3 things: cricket, sprinting and javelin. You will see more when you see him. I can say much more now but all will be revealed.

3. He has been off the cricket radar for 3 years DELIBERATELY. The reason is that having coached in India myself, he would have had a rough ride from other coaches, while changing to the techniques we are adopting. I think traditional coaches can be cruel and very non-understanding of what we're doing, so would just hassle him. Atul has had to change his release from front on to sideways on, thus accessing his IMMENSE strength and power. The second reason he's not been playing is we have had to cement changes in his action over time. When this guy bowls he needs to be the real deal and not a wannabe. I am not sure others could copy his training methods (olympic standard weights, running and physical stress) to get him to this level.

4. As for accuracy, he is bowling the ball straight. The issue for Atul is landing it where he wants to in terms of length as everything is likely to be extremely full (low full toss, yorker) with his trajectory. That's the final part of this long 3 year journey this guy has made.

5. As for hype, well only the results can prove otherwise. He still has to do this in a match and under pressure, but the first check point has been hand release speed. Off a 6 pace run-up he has been over 90mph and from a standing position (no run-up at all) over 80 mph.

I think Atul is a one-off, unorthodox in his methods of training, unique in combining various speed and strength key things from other sports, plus a REAL TEST of my coaching knowledge to keep this guy on track and able to bowl. All that will stop Atul from becoming a sensation now, is himself.

I will say that the stress and strain on his body to project the ball at those speeds is huge. That's why it's taken this long to get to this point of being ready to bowl. As for the future, I have no idea what's out there for him. But I do know this - if he bowls above 90 mph with ease, he will be a big name. And if he does his 100 mph trick, I think India has a new hero.

I have never met a more dedicated human being than Atul. He's a one-off in cricket - more like an Olympian than a cricketer with his understanding and willingness to get things right. His approach to everything would shame almost every player in the game today.

It's not all about sheer speed but India has lacked in this department and Atul might just ignite interest in fast bowling methods, which is my particular skill. What's about to happen will be interesting at the very least...!

*Buckaroo* wrote:there is sense in what he is doing .. but can't believe that no one else has tried it before. I mean all the weight-training and muscle building and controlled entry into bowling.

Nath wrote:will probably break down more than Dizzy mk 1 and Shane Watson combined.

Has he been into Shoaib and Asif's stash?

taipan wrote:

Nath wrote:will probably break down more than Dizzy mk 1 and Shane Watson combined.

Has he been into Shoaib and Asif's stash?

Figjam?

taipan wrote:Well Figjam said in this mornings paper that he is fully fit and that Aus will be far easier to beat in the upcoming series.

*Buckaroo* wrote:Actually I had predicted before that IPL will help unearth raw talent esp quick bowlers, in India because of low-entry barriers.