How Do You Spell DOOSRA?

Pronunciation: [dˈuːsɹə] (IPA)

"Doosra" is a word often used in cricket to describe a delivery that deceives the batsman by spinning in the opposite direction to what is expected. The word is of Urdu origin and is spelled with two "o"s to represent the long "oo" sound. The phonetic transcription for "doosra" is /du:sra/, where the colons indicate a lengthened vowel. Thus, the word is pronounced as "doo-sra" with the stress on the first syllable. Its spelling is unique and reflects the word's foreign origin.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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DOOSRA Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "doosra" is a noun that primarily refers to a type of delivery in the sport of cricket. Originating from the Hindi language, it has become a recognized term in the cricketing community globally.

    In the context of cricket, a "doosra" is a deceptive off spin delivery, bowled by a spinner (usually an off-spinner) that spins in the opposite direction compared to a typical off-break delivery. Rather than curving away from a right-handed batsman (for an off-spinner), a doosra spins into the right-handed batsman, imitating an off-break but then turning sharply towards the leg side. Therefore, it is also known as a "wrong'un" or a googly for an off-spinner.

    The doosra is considered as a highly skilled and difficult delivery to execute. It requires the bowler to master a subtle change in wrist position and finger action, generating a unique spin that deceives the batsman into playing the wrong shot. The doosra has gained immense popularity due to its ability to challenge even the most skilled of batsmen.

    The introduction of the doosra into cricket has added another element of excitement and unpredictability to the sport. Bowlers who excel in delivering the doosra can disrupt a batsman's timing and potentially claim wickets. Batsmen, on the other hand, must be vigilant and observant to identify the doosra and adjust their technique accordingly to effectively counter this deceptive delivery.

Etymology of DOOSRA

The word "doosra" has its etymology in the Hindi and Urdu languages. In these languages, "doosra" (दूसरा in Hindi) literally translates to "second" or "other". It is derived from the Sanskrit word "dvitiya", which has a similar meaning. In the context of cricket, "doosra" refers to a specific type of delivery bowled by spin bowlers, especially off-spinners. The term was popularized by Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq, who introduced and mastered this delivery technique in the 1990s.