Former India star blames Pakistan pacers on ball tampering for reverse swing

Great fast bowlers often use reverse swing as a great weapon to dislodge batters in cricket history. Some Pakistan legends like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis had mastered the art of reverse swing.

However, former India pacer Praveen Kumar made a rather outrageous claim on the art of reverse swing, with special context to former Pakistan pacers.

While refraining from naming any particular bowler, Praveen asserted that ball tampering was a common practice employed to induce reverse swing, and this knowledge was widespread within cricketing circles.

“Everyone does a little bit. Pakistan bowlers do it a bit more. That is what I have 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,” said Praveen.

Notably, the art of reverse swing has faded, particularly in the white-ball formats, due to the introduction of two new balls from either end.