Is Kedar Jadhav's Bowling Action Legal? A Comprehensive Analysis

Recent discussions and debates have revolved around Kedar Jadhav's bowling action in cricket. It is essential to shed light on the legality of his round arm action. Let's delve into the details and clarify whether Jadhav's bowling action meets the legal requirements as defined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Understanding Illegal Bowling Actions

In the world of cricket, a bowling action is subject to strict regulations. An illegal bowling action is clearly defined and monitored by the ICC. According to the ICC's guidelines, an illegal bowling action is characterized by:

Elbow Extension Exceeding 15 Degrees: A player's elbow extension must not exceed 15 degrees during the delivery of a ball. This is measured using the Standard Analysis Protocols from the point at which the bowling arm reaches the horizontal until the point at which the ball is released. No Discounting for Elbow Hyperextension: Any elbow hyperextension is not taken into account when determining an illegal bowling action.

The requirement of a maximum 15-degree elbow extension is designed to ensure that the bending in the arm is not so significant that it becomes visible to the naked eye, particularly for umpires who are tasked with making on-field judgments.

Jadhav's Bowling Action: A Legal Analysis

Let's analyze Kedar Jadhav's bowling action in light of these criteria. Jadhav bowls with a round arm action, reminiscent of Lasif Malinga, albeit at a much lower speed. This specific action style is not, in and of itself, illegal. However, the legality of his action depends on whether it falls within the 0-90 degree range as outlined by the ICC guidelines.

According to the analysis, Jadhav's action fulfills the requirements for a legal bowling action. His round arm action does not exceed the 15-degree threshold for elbow extension. In fact, it is consistent with the arm's natural bend, making it indistinguishable from a legal bowling action by the naked eye, which is exactly the intent behind the 15-degree limit.

The ICC and Player Bowling Actions

The ICC has developed a comprehensive document to help officials and governing bodies ensure that players' bowling actions are compliant with the rules. This document provides detailed protocols for analyzing bowling actions and making fair judgments on the field.

Crucially, the ICC emphasizes that an elbow extension of 15 degrees or less is legal. This standard is designed to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure that players are not unnecessarily penalized for natural arm movements that do not compromise the sport's fairness.

Additionally, the ICC takes into account the fact that an occasional hyperextension during a delivery is common and is not indicative of an illegal action unless it consistently exceeds the specified threshold.

Conclusion

In summary, Kedar Jadhav's bowling action is legal. His round arm action, while distinctive, adheres to the ICC's guidelines on elbow extension. The 15-degree limit is specifically chosen to ensure that a player's natural arm movement does not become visible or suspicious to the naked eye, thereby upholding the integrity of the game.

While Jadhav's action may be deemed more aesthetically different from the conventional straight arm style, it remains within the legal boundaries set by the ICC. As such, there is no need for concern regarding the legality of his bowling action.