10 Times Bowlers Stunned With Unusual Actions

Usman Tariq

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq is known for a highly unconventional 'pause-and-sling' bowling action, characterized by a statue-like halt at the crease before a side-arm release that disrupts a batter's rhythm. As of the 2026 T20 World Cup, he has claimed 11 wickets in just four T20Is at a remarkable average of 7.90, including a hat-trick.

Dan Lawrence

England all-rounder Dan Lawrence has highly eccentric 'round-arm' off-spin action, which features a low release point and a significant swivel that often catches batters off guard. This unique style has allowed him to be a surprisingly effective part-time option in T20s; for instance, he maintains a career T20 bowling average of 25.40.

Patrick Dooley

Patrick Dooley is famously nicknamed the 'frog in a blender' due to his eccentric 'double windmill' or 'double pump' left-arm unorthodox spin action. His unique delivery involves a whirlwind of arm movements that creates an angular release and deceptive timing, often causing batters to 'trigger' the shot before he has even released the ball.

Kedar Jadhav

Former Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav is renowned for his highly unorthodox low sidearm bowling action, where he released the ball from an incredibly low height, sometimes just 140 cm above the ground. By bending his knees to further shorten his 5'4" frame, he created a trajectory so flat that it forces batters to generate power.

Shivil Kaushik

Indian 'Chinaman' bowler Shivil Kaushik was famous for an extraordinary left-arm wrist-spin action, a style so contorted that his head faced the sky at the moment of release. In IPL 2016, Kaushik famously took 3/20 for the Gujarat Lions against Kings XI Punjab, dismissing icons like Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh in the match.

Jasprit Bumrah

The best bowler in the world right now, ace Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah 'hyper-extended' action is one of the most distinctive in history, featuring a short run-up and a stiff, locked front leg that acts as a human catapult. Despite the action, he is the first bowler to ever hold the ICC No. 1 ranking in all three formats simultaneously.

Sohail Tanvir

Ex-Pakistani pacer Sohail Tanvir was famous for his 'wrong-footed' left-arm bowling action, where his right foot landed first during the delivery stride, creating a deceptive 'double-jump' effect. This unique release, coupled with his ability to deliver yorkers and slower balls, made him one of the most successful T20 bowlers of his era.

Lasith Malinga

One of the greatest death bowlers, Lasith Malinga was a pioneer of the 'slingshot' or 'round-arm' bowling action, as he released the ball from a near-horizontal angle that made his yorkers impossible to pick up. This also allowed him to become the first bowler to claim 100 T20I wickets and the only one to take five international hat-tricks.

Muttiah Muralitharan

The highest wicket-taker in international cricket history, Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action was a marvel, characterized by a unique wrist flick that generated immense revolutions even on flat surfaces. It prevented him from fully straightening his arm, resulting in a 'kink' that allowed him to bowl both the off-spin and the 'doosra'.

Paul Adams

Often characterized as the bowler with the most unique action, Paul Adams was the original 'frog-in-a-blender', featuring a left-arm wrist-spin action so extreme that his head pointed toward the sky at the point of delivery. It made it nearly impossible for opponents to pick the ball's flight, as he generated bounce and turn despite the posture.