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'Should Be Banned' - Harsha Bhogle & Pietersen Fight Over Switch Hit Legality

Aakash Saini

image-lrx9k655David Warner performing a switch-hit in an IPL game (BCCI)

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The validity of a switch-hit in cricket has been one of the most widely-debated topics for discussion ever since the shot gained prominence through Kevin Pietersen during the earlier stages of his international career. Over the course of the subsequent decade, the audacious stroke was further popularized by Australian batting dynamites Glenn Maxwell and David Warner.

The debate over the legality of a switch-hit recently resurfaced on Day 3 of the first Test match between England and hosts India, when on-air commentators Harsha Bhogle and Pietersen himself were involved in a seemingly heated discussion over the matter at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Harsha Bhogle and Kevin Pietersen get into fierce debate

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle believes that switch-hits should be completely banned from the sport. His on-air partner Kevin Pietersen, also one of the earliest exponents of the stroke, expectedly defended the audacious shot. Bhogle started off the discussion by saying:

“I don’t mind the reverse sweep and I know I need to move a couple of yards away from Kevin Pietersen when I say that, but I absolutely believe that the switch hit should be banned. It’s unfair. You’ve become a left-hander – should not be allowed because the bowler’s bowling to a right-hander. You can’t suddenly bowl to a left-hander. KP, I’m off!”

The prominent Indian commentator added that if switch-hits are to be allowed, then bowlers should also be allowed to bowl with their non-dominant arm at any point. He said:

“My view, personally, has been that the switch hit should be allowed if the bowler without any warning, is suddenly allowed to come and bowl left-handed.”

Kevin Pietersen reiterated by asserting that no one is stopping bowlers from bowling left-handed, and questioned why no one has tried it yet. He stated:

“Let them bowl left-handed then. Why has somebody never ever done it?”

Following the conclusion of Day 3 of the Test match, the argument between Harsha Bhogle and Kevin Pietersen shifted onto X (formerly Twitter), where the former explained his stance further.

On the cricketing front, England made a strong comeback against India with their second-innings defiance courtesy of a splendid 196 from Ollie Pope. His innings propelled the visitors to 420 by the fourth morning, thus setting up a target of 231 runs with five sessions left for Team India in the Test match.