By Moniram (Philip) Ramcharitar Every generation celebrates its great batsmen. Few, however, leave behind a legacy measured not only by their achievements, but by the respect they earn throughout the cricket world. Rohan Bholalall Kanhai was one of those rare cricketers. For many, Kanhai will always be remembered as one of cricket's most gifted stroke-makers. His unorthodox style, fearless approach, and remarkable hand-eye coordination produced innings that captivated spectat

Watch the world's finest batters, and one quality seems to separate them from everyone else. They rarely appear rushed. Whether defending a fast bowler, driving elegantly through the covers, or playing a late cut, they seem to have more time than everyone else. The difference is not that they possess quicker reflexes or see the ball earlier than everyone else. More often, they have developed one of batting's greatest assets: timing. If there is one quality every batter hopes

A Tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers Dedicated to Sir Garfield Sobers, whose extraordinary versatility continues to inspire generations of cricketers around the world. By Moniram (Philip) Ramcharitar Founder, Bat Skills Cricket Welcome to the first Bat Skills Cricket Sunday Feature. Each Sunday, we will explore the people, ideas, and enduring principles that continue to shape our game. There is no better place to begin than with a cricketer who redefined what was possible on a cr

Every so often, a sporting event does more than produce a result. It changes the conversation. The recent Women's Test between India and England at Lord's felt like one of those occasions. For decades, Women's Test cricket has existed largely on the margins of the international game. While the women's white-ball formats have deservedly received significant investment and attention, Test cricket has remained an occasional event rather than a meaningful part of the internationa

Head Position: Why Great Batters Keep Their Eyes Level "A steady head gives the eyes time to work." — Bat Skills Cricket Principle #3 Batting is often described as a game of quick reactions, yet the world's best players somehow appear to have more time than everyone else. The ball leaves the bowler's hand at the same speed, the pitch remains the same length, and the conditions are identical for every batter. Still, the finest players consistently make better decisions under p

"Balance gives every shot a better chance." — Bat Skills Cricket Principle #2 Batting is often celebrated through its most memorable moments. A perfectly timed cover drive. A commanding pull shot. A straight drive that races back past the bowler. These are the moments that capture our attention because they are where the runs are scored. Yet beneath every great stroke lies a quality that rarely receives the same recognition. Balance. It may be one of the most overlooked skill

The Foundations of Great Batting Part 1 Purposeful Footwork Great Hands Often Begin with Great Feet. Introduction Batting is often judged by the shots players play. The cover drive through extra cover. The pull shot into the stands. The perfectly timed straight drive. These are the moments that appear on scorecards and highlights. Yet great batting frequently begins before the bat even moves. It begins with the feet. Why Footwork Matters One of the greatest misconceptions in

Millions watch Test cricket every year. Fewer realize they may also be watching one of the world's greatest coaching sessions. One of the most underrated learning resources in cricket may not be found in a coaching manual, an academy, or a training camp. It may be sitting behind a microphone. Modern Test cricket is fortunate to have commentators who are far more than broadcasters. Many are former Test captains, world-class players, accomplished coaches, and individuals who ha

The success of Alex Carey during the Ashes and more recently Tom Blundell against England has brought renewed attention to one of cricket's most effective tactical weapons: the wicketkeeper standing up to the stumps. The dismissals are easy to identify. The pressure created on batters is obvious. The tactical advantage has been discussed extensively. What has received far less attention is how batters should respond. The instinctive reaction is often to become more aggressive

Football: Brazil. Cricket: Australia. The same lesson applies to both. Every World Cup produces predictions. Far fewer conversations focus on why certain nations consistently place themselves in position to win. That is what interests me most. My prediction for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Brazil. My Final Four: • Brazil• Spain• France• Germany The two previous FIFA World Cups held in North America were won by Brazil in 1970 and again in 1994. History does not determine the fut

By Moniram (Philip) Ramcharitar The recent ICC suspension of Cricket Canada has generated significant discussion throughout the cricket community. Questions have been asked about governance, administration, accountability, and the future direction of the game in Canada. Those discussions are important. But in my view, the ICC suspension is not the story. The future of Canadian cricket is. As someone who has spent most of his life playing, studying, and following cricket, I be

Modern cricket has produced many young stars. Very few have looked like this. At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is already attacking some of the best fast bowlers in world cricket with a level of confidence, timing, and clarity rarely seen in players so young. Bowling attacks containing names such as Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, Mitchell Starc, and Kagiso Rabada are supposed to expose young batters. Instead, Sooryavanshi already appear

At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already shown an extraordinary ability to dominate world-class bowling. The question is no longer whether he is talented. The question is how India should develop a talent this rare. By Moniram (Philip) Ramcharitar | Bat Skills Cricket There are talented young cricketers. There are prodigies. And then, every so often, cricket produces a player who forces us to rethink what is possible at a particular age. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi app

By Moniram (Philip) Ramcharitar | Bat Skills Cricket The current edition of the Indian Premier League has produced extraordinary entertainment. Massive totals. Record chases. Fearless batting. Boundary-hitting at levels the game has rarely witnessed before. Credit must also go to the curators across India for preparing excellent batting surfaces that encourage stroke play, confidence, and attacking cricket. These pitches have showcased the remarkable skill and power of modern

Why cricket’s toughest periods may still reveal the value of red-ball foundations Modern cricket celebrates impact. Strike rates dominate discussion. Power-hitting fills highlight reels. Franchise tournaments shape reputations quickly. But cricket still asks one timeless question: What happens when form disappears? Because poor form has always been one of the game’s greatest examinations — and increasingly, it may also expose the difference between players built through stron

A subtle shift in spin bowling — particularly the reduced presence of attacking off-spin — may be shaping how matches unfold in IPL 2026. This is not simply a batting trend, but a reflection of changing skill priorities in the modern game. A Shift Hidden in Plain Sight In T20 cricket, dominance is often explained by power, intent, or form. But in IPL 2026, a more subtle pattern is emerging — one shaped not just by batting, but by the types of bowling becoming less prominent i

By Moniram (Philip) Ramcharitar A Craft Under Pressure In cricket, few skills are as compelling — or as demanding — as swing bowling. The late movement.The ball that drifts, then deviates.The moment a batter realizes they have been drawn into a mistake. For decades, swing bowling was not just part of the game — it was one of its foundations. But in 2026, something has shifted. Swing has not disappeared — but fewer bowlers are mastering and sustaining it across formats. When C

In a format dominated by power and pace, it is still timing, decision-making, and technical discipline that separate winning teams from the rest. T20 cricket will always celebrate power. Six-hitting fills stadiums, dominates highlights, and increasingly shapes how success in the format is judged. But tournaments are not won on highlights alone. They are won in moments — often subtle — where control, decision-making and execution outweigh brute force. Because the teams that co

First-class cricket is not just another format. It is the foundation of the game. It should not be about winning at all costs. The primary objective has always been clear — to produce players capable of progressing to the highest level: Test cricket, national teams, and increasingly, T20 leagues where many players will earn the peak of their careers. That pathway matters. And it must be protected. Development Over Results First-class cricket is not simply another competition.

Why the 2026 County Championship still holds the key to performance, adaptability, and career longevity Introduction: The Format Many Overlook — But Every Great Player Needs “Show me your red-ball cricket, and I will tell you how strong your white-ball game is.” In 2026, the game continues to move at speed. Franchise leagues dominate headlines. Strike rates are analysed. Power is celebrated. But beneath all of that, the County Championship continues to do something far more i