What is a carrom-ball in cricket? Explained
Ajantha Mendis (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 20 Jun 2026, 08:11 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Cricket may be called the gentleman’s game, but its rules often favour batters. Free hits, powerplays, and the use of two new balls in ODIs tilt the balance toward batting. Even close calls usually go in the batter’s favour. With pitches also largely designed for stroke‑play, bowlers have been forced to innovate. Out of this need for survival came one of the most fascinating inventions in spin bowling, the carrom‑ball.
What is a carrom‑ball?
The carrom‑ball is a spinner’s variation designed to deceive batters. On flat wickets, it tends to straighten after pitching, while on turning tracks, it can rip away sharply from the right‑hander. Its unpredictability makes it lethal, capable of producing a wide array of dismissals in the form of bowled, lbw, and caught behind.
Carrom‑ball grip and release
The grip of the carrom‑ball is unconventional. The index finger rests on the seam, the thumb supports the ball underneath, and the middle finger is tucked slightly beneath the seam. At release, the ball is flicked out using the middle finger, similar to striking the striker in the game of carrom. This flick imparts the unique spin and trajectory that defines the delivery.
Who coined the term carrom‑ball?
The exact origin of the term remains debated, but Sri Lankan lawyer Mahendra Mapagunaratne is widely credited with coining the word carrom‑ball.
Who popularised the carrom‑ball?
The carrom‑ball was popularised by Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, who mastered the craft and used it to dismantle some of the finest players of spin, including Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.
Iconic carrom‑ball dismissals
One of the most unforgettable carrom‑ball dismissals unfolded in the 2014 World T20 semifinal in Dhaka, when India’s Ravichandran Ashwin outfoxed South Africa’s opener Hashim Amla. Bowling from around the wicket, Ashwin unleashed a perfectly disguised carrom‑ball that pitched well outside the leg‑stump.
Amla, anticipating a flick to the on‑side, shaped up confidently, only to meet thin air. The ball gripped, spun ferociously across the surface, and in a moment of pure theatre, crashed into the off‑stump. The sight of Amla’s stumps shattered was a masterclass in deception, a delivery that showcased the artistry and menace of the carrom‑ball at its very best.
