U-19 World Cup: Raj Limbani wreaked havoc with the weapon prepared 8 months ago, Hardik-Hooda’s partner helped

Pratyush Raj. Raj Limbani’s in-swing bowling caught everyone’s attention in the Under-19 World Cup 2024. In the final against Australia, this right-arm fast bowler was India’s best bowler, taking 3 wickets for 38 runs. However, India was not able to defend the title. Limbani clean bowled Sam Konstas before having Ryan Hicks and Charlie Anderson LBW on inbound balls. He took 11 wickets in the tournament. Most of these wickets came on the inbound ball.

No in-swinger starts near Limbani.

However, Limbani coach Digvijay Singh Rathwa says that initially he did not have an in-swinger. He had to work to master it last year. Rathwa told The Indian Express about Limbani, “His strength has always been outswinger. Irfan Pathan was impressed by his pace, but wanted him to work on his inswing as well so that he would have more trouble reading it.”

Limbani was confused

Rathwa knew that it would be very difficult for someone at the age of 18 to learn a new art. But he remembered what former India bowling coach Bharat Arun told him while doing his Level 1 course at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He said, “Bharat Arun sir used to say that one has to have a lot of patience with fast bowlers.” Limbani was confused and a little worried that the bowling might go wrong if he worked on the in-swinger, but he had a mentor in Rathwa, who has faced many misfortunes in his career.

Rathwa is the batchmate of Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda.

28-year-old Rathwa, batchmate of Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda, was on ventilator for a year. He told about this, “I used to open for Baroda in Under-16 and Under-19 cricket. In 2015 I was diagnosed with GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome), which is a very rare disease in India. I was just 19 years old and was on a ventilator in Mahavir Hospital, Surat for a year. I told Raj, look at me, I have come back after fighting to the death and here you are worrying about your bowling. At least try it.”

Learned art in 8 months

With Rathwa’s assurance, Limbani was ready to take up the challenge and spent the next eight months working on his inswing. “We started it in May,” laughs Rathwa. For the first 40 days, he bowled from his crease without any run-up. Then for the next 60 days he bowled at five speeds. It took time because in the meantime he was playing Cooch Behar Trophy, Vinoo Mankad Trophy and then also Under-19 Challengers. Before the Asia Cup, he started bowling with his full run-up. He was happy that he had learned a new art without losing momentum and I was also relieved as a coach.”

Appreciation of Raj Limbani’s mentality

Rathwa also appreciated Raj’s mentality. He says that apart from his pace, Pathan was also impressed by his attitude. He said, “Irfan Bhai said that he has potential and his understanding is good. With a little guidance he can become a good bowler in a few years. Irfan Bhai spent a week with him before going to the World Cup. He gave him tips on how to bowl in South African conditions and the importance of bowling good lengths there. I think he did a very good job, including that six which he hit at a very crucial time in the semi-final.”

ball at a speed of 141 km per hour

Rathwa said, “He consistently bowls at a speed of 135 kmph and at the National Cricket Academy he has bowled at a speed of 141 kmph twice. When he returns home, we will work on his batting as well as his speed.” Rathwa feels that Limbani wants to play first-class cricket and will talk about workload management since his Under-16 days.

like to bowl with red ball

Rathwa said, “He likes bowling with the red ball. Even before going to the World Cup, he used to bowl with the red ball. During his Under-16 days he talked about workload management. He is aware of this aspect. He bowled nearly 200 overs in six matches in the Cooch Behar Trophy in the 2022–23 season. This was the most by any fast bowler. He also enjoys bowling long spells. He is from the IPL generation, but when it comes to cricket he is very old-fashioned.”

Father took leave to watch the final

Vasantbhai Patel in Dayapar, Kutch, took a day off and watched his son play the U-19 World Cup final at his home with over 50 people. There was some concern when Raj felt a problem in his hamstring while bowling his eighth over. He said, “It is the final, I knew that he would bowl on one leg also. He has worked hard for this. I don’t think he ever had any other plans except cricket. I’m glad he’s living his dream.”