The carrom ball is one of cricket’s most deceptive deliveries, a weapon primarily used by spin bowlers to outfox batters with subtle variations. Unlike traditional off-spin or leg-spin, the carrom ball relies on finger flicking — similar to striking a striker disc in the game of carrom, hence the name.
How to bowl a carrom ball
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Grip: The bowler places the ball between the thumb and the middle finger, with the index finger supporting it lightly. The seam is usually gripped horizontally across the fingers.
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Release: Instead of a regular spin release, the bowler flicks the ball out using the middle finger. The flick generates a different kind of spin — often turning the ball away from the right-hander, or going straight depending on seam position.
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Deception: Because the bowler’s action looks similar to a stock delivery, the batter struggles to pick the variation until it’s too late. The carrom ball can behave like an off-break, leg-break, or even skid straight on, making it unpredictable.
Mastering the carrom ball requires immense finger strength, wrist control, and disguise, which is why only a handful of bowlers in world cricket have successfully used it.
Top 5 bowlers who mastered the carrom ball
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Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka): The man credited with popularizing the carrom ball in modern cricket. Mendis used it to devastating effect in the late 2000s, especially against India, and earned the nickname “mystery spinner.”
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Ravichandran Ashwin (India): Arguably the most consistent user of the carrom ball in Tests and limited-overs cricket. Ashwin employs it as a surprise weapon, particularly effective against left-handers.
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Sunil Narine (West Indies): Known for his variety in T20s, Narine’s carrom ball adds an extra layer of mystery. His subtle changes of pace and trajectory made him one of the toughest bowlers in franchise cricket.
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Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa): Though a left-arm chinaman bowler by trade, Shamsi has experimented with the carrom-style flick, adding unpredictability to his T20 arsenal.
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Washington Sundar (India): A younger off-spinner who occasionally uses the carrom ball, particularly in white-ball formats, keeping batters guessing during the middle overs.
Conclusion
The carrom ball remains one of cricket’s most unique spin variations, blending surprise with skill. While not every spinner can master it, those who do often become match-winners, using this subtle flick to break partnerships and tilt games in their team’s favor.
