Is bowling with both arms in the same over allowed? Rules explained

Kamindu Mendis attracted attention by bowling with both left and right hand during 1st SL v IND T20I.

Kamindu Mendis of Sri Lanka was the highlight of the first T20I against India on July 27, 2024. This match was played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. This was the first of the three T20Is between these two sides.

India were asked to bat first by Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and posted 213/7 in 20 overs with the bat. Suryakumar Yadav, the captain scored 58, while Rishabh Pant made 49 runs. Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal (40) and Shubman Gill (34) had given India a flying start.

During the Indian innings, a unique display of ambidextrous bowling by Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis garnered attention. The spinner attracted the crowd’s attention by switching bowling arms within the same over, which is uncommon in international cricket.

He bowled the Indian innings’ tenth over and was smashed for four by Suryakumar on the first ball. Mendis bowled left-handed against Suryakumar Yadav but changed to right-handed against Rishabh Pant. Mendis only bowled one over during the game, allowing nine runs.

Here is what the ICC rules say about this

This was not the first time Mendis had bowled with both right and left hand in the same over, depending on which batter was at the crease, right-handed or left-handed. Mendis has been doing so since he first broke out on the international scene for Sri Lanka U19 in the 2016 Youth World Cup.

Meanwhile, this impressive skill set prompted curiosity and admiration from fans, as well as questions about the regulations governing such unique abilities. As per the ICC rules, the bowler has to inform the umpire which hand he is going to use to bowl the ball.

The same will be relayed by the umpire to the batter. In case the bowler fails to inform the umpire of the same and bowls the delivery, it can be termed a no-ball.

Here’s a look at what the rules say:

21.1.1 The umpire shall ascertain whether the bowler intends to bowl right-handed or left-handed, over or round the wicket, and shall so inform the striker. It is unfair if the bowler fails to notify the umpire of a change in his/her mode of delivery. In this case, the umpire shall call and signal No ball.

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