Shakib Al Hassan (Photo: Video capture)
Previous Bangladesh The captain and veteran all-rounder is using an interesting technique to correct his posture and head position when he steps up to bat in the first Test match against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
A video showing Shakib biting a thin black band while facing the bowler went viral on social media, raising questions as to why he would do such a thing.
Former India opener Akash Chopra, who is commentating for the two-match Test series, explains why a batsman might try such an unconventional corrective measure.
“While (left-handed Shakib) takes his stance, he keeps pushing his head inwards, almost towards the centre. The reason he does this is because someone told him that he can do this to solve the problem of his head falling. Then his front foot goes in the same direction (towards the centre). When that happens, his batting gets disrupted,” explained Chopra, 47, who has played 10 Tests.
“So the string or band that he has on his teeth is at its highest tension when his head is in. He tries to keep his head as close to his right shoulder as possible so it doesn’t go to the other side, and that helps him keep his front foot straighter,” Chopra said.
A video showing Shakib biting a thin black band while facing the bowler went viral on social media, raising questions as to why he would do such a thing.
Former India opener Akash Chopra, who is commentating for the two-match Test series, explains why a batsman might try such an unconventional corrective measure.
“While (left-handed Shakib) takes his stance, he keeps pushing his head inwards, almost towards the centre. The reason he does this is because someone told him that he can do this to solve the problem of his head falling. Then his front foot goes in the same direction (towards the centre). When that happens, his batting gets disrupted,” explained Chopra, 47, who has played 10 Tests.
“So the string or band that he has on his teeth is at its highest tension when his head is in. He tries to keep his head as close to his right shoulder as possible so it doesn’t go to the other side, and that helps him keep his front foot straighter,” Chopra said.
“Another thing he added to this is changing the trigger action, which is usually the action you do with your feet (when placing a bet).”
Chopra believes Shakib has learnt a lesson from former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid.
“Dravid (a right-handed batsman) tried something similar (but not with any band). He always tried to keep his head closer to his left shoulder. As a batsman, when your head is on your lead shoulder, your front foot movement becomes more direct. That’s what Shakib does.”
