Carrom Ball in Cricket: How It’s Bowled and Who Popularised It

The carrom ball is a deceptive spin delivery released by flicking the ball with a bent middle finger. This unusual technique creates spin that can make the ball behave differently from a bowler’s regular delivery.

Unlike conventional off-spin or leg-spin, the carrom ball relies on a distinctive finger-flicking action, making it difficult for batters to read the direction of spin.

Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis popularised the modern carrom ball in international cricket, while India’s Ravichandran Ashwin also became a well-known exponent. However, its origins go back further, and no single inventor has been conclusively established.

What Is a Carrom Ball in Cricket?

A carrom ball is a spin delivery bowled by flicking the ball with a bent middle finger. The bowler commonly holds the ball between the thumb and index finger, positioning the bent middle finger to produce the flick at release.

The finger action generates spin and can make the ball turn in an unexpected direction after pitching. Depending on the bowler’s grip, release and rotation, the delivery may turn away from the batter, move towards the batter or hold its line.

The name comes from the action’s resemblance to flicking a striker in the board game carrom.

Key characteristics of a carrom ball:

• It is a spin-bowling variation.
• The bowler uses a bent middle finger to flick the ball.
• The release can be difficult for a batter to read.
• Its direction of movement depends on the spin and release.
• It can be used to surprise batters who expect the bowler’s stock delivery.

Who Invented the Carrom Ball?

There is no confirmed single inventor of the carrom ball. However, Australian spinner Jack Iverson is widely recognised as one of the earliest clearly documented international practitioners of the distinctive finger-flick technique.

Iverson played five Test matches during the 1950–51 Ashes series. His unusual grip and finger action allowed him to produce deliveries that confused batters. However, he used the technique differently from many modern bowlers: the finger-flick delivery was a variation within his bowling repertoire rather than the delivery now commonly associated with the modern carrom ball.

Australian spinner John Gleeson later studied Iverson’s technique and developed his own finger-flick method. Gleeson became known for producing deliveries that could move in different directions without an obvious change in his bowling action.

Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath is another important figure in the history of the delivery. He is cited as the first left-arm spinner to use the carrom-ball method in international cricket. Historical reporting identifies a Test dismissal of Australian opener David Warner with a carrom-style delivery. This is separate from Herath’s 1999 international debut and should not be confused with a dismissal of Steve Waugh.

The modern carrom ball became internationally famous through Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis, who popularised the delivery during his international career from 2008 to 2015.

Therefore, it is more accurate to describe Iverson as an early documented practitioner and Mendis as the bowler who popularised the modern version, rather than naming either as the confirmed inventor.

Ajantha Mendis and the Popularity of the Carrom Ball

Ajantha Mendis played a major role in bringing the carrom ball into the international spotlight. His unusual finger-flicking release and ability to disguise different deliveries made him particularly difficult to read.

Before his international breakthrough, Mendis was an army gunner who played second-tier domestic cricket for the Sri Lanka Army. His performances in the 2008 Asia Cup transformed him from a relatively unfamiliar spinner into one of the most talked-about bowlers in international cricket.

One of his most memorable performances came in the 2008 Asia Cup final against India in Karachi, Pakistan, on 6 July 2008.

Ajantha Mendis’ Performance in the 2008 Asia Cup Final

Match detail	Information
Tournament	2008 Asia Cup
Match	Final
Date	6 July 2008
Venue	National Stadium, Karachi
Teams	Sri Lanka vs India
Sri Lanka’s score	273 in 49.5 overs
India’s score	173 in 39.3 overs
Mendis’ bowling figures	6/13 in 8 overs
Economy rate	1.62
Result	Sri Lanka won by 100 runs
Player of the Match	Ajantha Mendis

Mendis took six wickets for just 13 runs, helping Sri Lanka defeat India by 100 runs and win the tournament. His performance demonstrated how effective his variations could be against high-quality international batters.

The Sehwag Dismissal That Introduced the Carrom Ball to the World

One of the defining moments of the final was Mendis’ dismissal of Virender Sehwag.

Sehwag had scored 60 runs from just 36 balls and was attacking Sri Lanka’s bowling. He charged down the pitch, but Mendis beat him with a fast leg-break that turned sharply. Kumar Sangakkara completed the stumping.

This delivery became one of the most memorable examples of the carrom-ball style and helped introduce Mendis’ mystery spin to a global audience.

Mendis then dismissed Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma before taking the final two wickets of Irfan Pathan and RP Singh.

Mendis Was on a Hat-Trick

Mendis’ final two wickets came from consecutive deliveries:

• Irfan Pathan was caught by Mahela Jayawardene off a googly.
• On the next ball, Mendis bowled RP Singh with a carrom-ball variation.

By dismissing Pathan and RP Singh on consecutive deliveries, Mendis put himself on a hat-trick and completed his remarkable six-wicket performance.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s Century

Sri Lanka had earlier scored 273 runs, thanks largely to Sanath Jayasuriya’s 125 from 114 balls.

Jayasuriya was 39 years old at the time and produced a match-defining century in the final. His innings gave Sri Lanka a strong total before Mendis dismantled India’s batting line-up.

Mendis’ Historic Asia Cup Records

The 2008 Asia Cup was a defining tournament in Mendis’ career.

• 17 wickets in one edition: Mendis took 17 wickets in five matches, setting the record for the most wickets in a single Asia Cup tournament.
• Best bowling figures: His 6/13 against India remains the best bowling analysis in Asia Cup history.
• Player of the Series: He received the tournament’s top individual award for his outstanding performance.
• Two five-wicket hauls: He became the first bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in a single edition of the Asia Cup.

His performance was not just a successful final spell. It established him as one of the most exciting mystery spinners in international cricket.

From Army Bowler to International Star

Mendis’ success brought recognition beyond cricket. He was serving as a gunner in the Sri Lankan Army’s artillery unit when his performances attracted national attention.

Following Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup victory, Mendis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 7 July 2008. The following day, 8 July 2008, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He also received the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award in 2008, recognising his outstanding start in international cricket.

The End of Mendis’ International Career

Mendis made his international debut in 2008 and played his final international match in December 2015.

His early success came from the difficulty batters faced in reading his variations. Over time, opposition teams studied his bowling through match footage and video analysis, becoming more familiar with his release and delivery patterns.

His effectiveness gradually declined as batters learned to recognise his variations. Injuries also affected his career.

Mendis retired from all forms of cricket in August 2019. His international career lasted from 2008 to 2015, but his influence on mystery spin continued through the bowlers who adapted similar finger-flicking techniques.

History of the Carrom Ball

Source Image: Itsonlycricket

The development of the carrom ball involves several bowlers who used or adapted the finger-flick technique over different periods.

Period	Bowler	Contribution
1950–51	Jack Iverson	Used the distinctive bent-middle-finger flick in international cricket.
1960s–1970s	John Gleeson	Studied Iverson’s grip and developed a finger-flick technique capable of producing different directions of movement.
Later international career	Rangana Herath	Cited as the first left-arm spinner to use the carrom-ball method internationally; dismissed David Warner with a carrom-style delivery in a Test.
2008 onwards	Ajantha Mendis	Popularised the modern carrom ball internationally.
2010s onwards	Ravichandran Ashwin and other spinners	Adapted and developed the delivery for modern international and limited-overs cricket.

The history shows that the technique existed before Mendis became famous. Its exact origin remains uncertain, but successive bowlers helped develop and popularise it.

How to Bowl a Carrom Ball in Cricket

Bowling a carrom ball requires finger control, practice and a consistent release. The most distinctive part of the technique is the flick produced by the bent middle finger.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Hold the Ball Correctly

Hold the cricket ball between your thumb and index finger. Position your middle finger in a bent position against the ball so that it can produce the flick.

The exact grip and seam orientation can vary between bowlers. There is no single compulsory grip for every carrom-ball bowler.

2. Position Your Middle Finger

The middle finger is the key to this delivery. Bend it so that the fingertip or side of the finger can apply pressure to the ball.

The position should feel comfortable and allow you to control the release without straining your finger.

3. Use Your Normal Bowling Action

Approach the crease with your usual bowling action. Try to keep your arm movement and body position similar to those used for your stock delivery.

A consistent action can make it harder for the batter to recognise the variation.

4. Flick the Ball at Release

At the point of release, flick the ball using your bent middle finger. This action produces the rotation that gives the carrom ball its distinctive behaviour.

The amount and direction of spin depend on your finger position, release and control.

5. Practise Accuracy and Control

Start by practising at a comfortable speed. Focus on releasing the ball consistently and landing it in the desired area.

Once you can control the delivery, work on disguising it alongside your regular spin deliveries.

Practice tip: Learn the release with a tennis ball before attempting to bowl the variation consistently with a cricket ball. Avoid forcing your finger into an uncomfortable position.

How Does a Carrom Ball Turn?

A carrom ball gets its spin from the flick of the bent middle finger. The rotation imparted at release influences how the ball travels through the air and how it behaves after pitching.

There is a common misconception that a carrom ball can only turn towards the off side. That is not correct. Its direction is not fixed.

Depending on how the bowler positions the grip and adjusts the release angle and spin orientation, the ball can:

• Turn away from the batter.
• Turn towards the batter.
• Travel relatively straight without significant sideways turn.
• Produce different movement depending on the rotation and pitch conditions.

A skilled bowler may use these different outcomes to surprise batters who expect the same direction from every carrom ball.

It is important to distinguish between movement in the air and turn after pitching. The finger flick generates the rotation, while the ball’s release and spin characteristics influence its flight and behaviour off the surface.

Not every carrom ball automatically turns in both directions. Producing different outcomes requires technique and control.

Difference Between a Carrom Ball and an Off Break

Both the carrom ball and the conventional off break are spin deliveries, but they use different release techniques.

Feature	Carrom Ball	Off Break
Bowling type	Spin variation	Conventional off-spin delivery
Main technique	Flicking with a bent middle finger	Applying finger spin to the ball
Release	Distinctive finger-flick action	Conventional off-spin release
Grip	Commonly held between thumb and index finger, with a bent middle finger	Commonly held with fingers positioned across the seam
Purpose	Deceive the batter with an unusual release and spin	Turn the ball away from a right-handed batter
Difficulty	Requires finger control and a consistent flick	Requires control of finger pressure, spin and line

The main difference is the release. A carrom ball uses a distinctive bent-middle-finger flick, whereas a conventional off break relies on the bowler’s usual finger-spin action.

Famous Bowlers Who Use the Carrom Ball

Several international spinners have used the carrom ball or related finger-flick variations to deceive batters.

1. Ajantha Mendis

Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis helped popularise the modern carrom ball. His unusual release and range of variations made him one of the most difficult mystery spinners to face during his international career.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is well known for using the carrom ball as part of his spin-bowling repertoire.

Ashwin has explained that he developed the delivery through tennis-ball cricket in Chennai. In an interview, he described learning it from a local tennis-ball bowler named SK and practising with him for around 10–15 days.

Ashwin has also discussed recognising the delivery as a version of the sodukku ball, a finger-flick variation used in Chennai’s local tennis-ball cricket. His development of the delivery involved adapting that experience to professional cricket.

3. Sunil Narine

West Indian mystery spinner Sunil Narine is known for his range of spin variations. His finger positions and release techniques differ from those of some other carrom-ball bowlers, making his deliveries difficult to read.

4. Varun Chakravarthy

Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy uses several variations to keep batters guessing. His ability to change his release and spin makes the carrom ball a useful part of the broader mystery-spin approach.

5. Maheesh Theekshana

Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana is another modern bowler associated with the carrom ball. His variations and release positions help him create uncertainty for batters.

6. Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman is known for his mystery spin and ability to bowl different variations. He is also identified among modern bowlers who use the carrom ball.

Why Is the Carrom Ball Difficult to Play?

The carrom ball can be difficult to face because the bowler’s release may look different from a conventional spin delivery. Batters often try to judge the type of spin by watching the bowler’s fingers and wrist.

However, a well-disguised carrom ball can make that judgement difficult.

The main reasons include:

• Unusual release: The bent-middle-finger flick makes the release different from conventional finger spin.
• Deception: The bowler can use a similar action for different deliveries.
• Unpredictable movement: The ball may turn differently from the batter’s expectation.
• Limited reaction time: Batters have to judge the delivery quickly after it leaves the bowler’s hand.
• Variation in flight and bounce: Changes in spin and release can affect how the ball behaves.

The delivery is most effective when the bowler combines it with accurate line, length and a convincing stock ball.

Is the Carrom Ball Legal in Cricket?

Yes. The carrom ball is a legal spin-bowling variation when delivered with a legal bowling action. The bent-middle-finger grip and flick are not prohibited by themselves.

Under ICC regulations, a bowling action is considered illegal if the bowler’s elbow extension exceeds 15 degrees between the point at which the bowling arm reaches the horizontal and the release of the ball.

Therefore, the legality of a carrom ball depends on the bowler’s overall action, not simply on the finger-flick technique. Domestic competitions may also apply the regulations of their governing cricket board.

Conclusion

The carrom ball is a distinctive spin variation that uses a bent-middle-finger flick to generate rotation and deceive batters. Although its exact inventor is unknown, Jack Iverson was an early documented international practitioner of the technique, John Gleeson developed it further, and Ajantha Mendis popularised the modern version around the world.

Mendis’ remarkable 2008 Asia Cup campaign, including his record-breaking 6/13 against India and 17 wickets in the tournament, made the delivery famous internationally. His international career ended in 2015, but his influence on mystery spin remains significant.

Modern spinners such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Maheesh Theekshana and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have also used the delivery or related variations.

With the right grip, finger control and practice, the carrom ball can become a valuable weapon in a spinner’s bowling arsenal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)