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The ICC Under 19 World Cup has kicked off in West Indies on Friday with hosts up against Australia in the opening encounter. And it did not take much time for the youngsters to get into limelight! The first player of the tournament to make the headlines was Chennai born Nivethan Radhakrishnan who was representing Australia (as his family had shifted to the country in 2013) in the mega event.
The spinner came to bowl the 16th over of innings and he did not take much time to show his incredible talent. With right-handed batsman Rivaldo Clarke on strike, Radhakrishnan started his over by bowling left-arm spin. However, after the batsman took a single off the first delivery, something strange followed next.
A left-handed batsman in form of Ackeem Auguste came on strike next which resulted in Radhakrishnan switching his bowling style. In a matter of moments, the 19-year-old turned from a left-arm orthodox to right-arm off spinner, showing his astonishing skills.
Watch the video here:
Radhakrishnan had an extremely impressive outing on Friday as he registered figures of 10-0-48-3 as West Indies were bowled out on 169.
"I think I should be able to bowl both hands without telling the umpire. Yeah! A batter switch hits, a batter sweeps. What if I could run in and he (batter) does not know what I am about to bowl because chances are I don't know where he is about to hit. It's only fair, " Nivethan opined (in a video shared by ICC on Friday).
Nivethan Radhakrishnan - An ambidextrous all rounder
Apart from his talent to bowl with both arms, the 19-year-old is also an able middle-order batsman (left-handed). Nivethan Radhakrishnan has also played in Tamil Nadu Premier League in 2017 and 2018 with Karaikudi Kaalai and Dindigul Dragons, respectively.
Apart from Radhakrishnan, few other ambidextrous bowlers who have graced the game of cricket are: Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan), Graham Gooch (England), Hashan Tillakaratne (Sri Lanka), Akshay Karnewar (India), Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka).