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5 most undervalued things in cricket

Reflexes play a major part in Mahendra Singh Dhonis’s keeping

Every dimension of cricket has something which is ignored, and their importance may not be daunting on the face of it, but they act as catalysts in taking the game forward. They can be easy to disregard, but pruning them will leave the game in shambles.

Undervaluing doesn’t devalue the prominence that these things present to the contest between bat and ball.

The following is a list of five aspects of the game that undeservingly don’t get their dues from the game.


#1 The wicket-keeper

New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullu : News Photo
The wicket-keeper’s role in cricket has changed dramatically over the years

Wicket-keeping is a thankless job which attracts criticism, but not appreciation. If a catch gets spilled, then it’s the wicket-keeper who has given a lease of life to the batsman. On the contrary, if a keeper dives full length and catches a blinder, then it’s the bowlers who get the better of the batsmen and showered praise.

During the first half of the 1990s, the primary job of a keeper was to show his prowess behind the wickets. Batting used to be a secondary skill-set for a keeper. As we moved along and in the age of ODIs and T20s, the role of a keeper somewhat altered. In order to focus on the depth in the batting line-up, wicket-keeping turned out to be secondary.

In short, the concept of the wicketkeeper-batsman gradually turned into batsman-wicketkeeper. The job is no less efficient than being a batsman. Reflexes aren’t the same for everyone and it’s a necessary ingredient for being a keeper. M.S Dhoni’s lightning fast stumpings are inflicted by quick reflexes.

A wicket-keeper needs to concentrate for the entire length of an innings and the worst part is to come and bat after keeping for long hours. The job deserves accolades and should never be discounted as an unimportant role.

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