Indian Premier League (IPL), is one of the most prominent franchise cricket leagues in the world. Every year we see new stars coming and stealing wins from oppositions. This year, it’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has already stolen the spotlight with his buckle-swashing strokes. But ever wondered how these players are able to smash such huge sixes so frequently. After all, players back in early days were more technical but Sachin Tendulkar never smashed balls out of the park like these youngsters do these days. Well, apart from their grind and hardwork, the hidden secret behind this immense success and brutal strokes is the quality of bats. Now, the willow is premium and so well crafted that players only have to work on their timing, rest is taken care of by the punch of the

How to check the quality of bats?
|
Criteria |
What to check? |
|
Grains |
8-12 grains Less grains- Harder wood (softer punch but more life) More grains- Softer wood (better punch but less life) |
|
Ping of the bat |
Good sound: clear and bouncy rebound Dull sound: Poor quality bat |
|
Weight and pickup |
A high quality bat feels lighter than it’s actually weight, the weight is well distributed |
|
Edges and sweet spot |
Edges should be thick with a well defined sweet spot |
|
Handle |
Handle should be of good quality as it has to absorb the pressure. |
|
Colour of the willow |
A clean, light cream colour is sign of a good English willow bat |
Now, since you know how to pick a decent willow for yourself. We at ZAP cricket will help you narrow down the options as in this blog we’ll share a list of the best players edition bats in India.
#5 SF Optimus English Willow Bat
This gun by SF is one of the best cricket bats available in India. Hand crafted by experienced craftsmen, the SF Optimus English Willow bat is power packed with great pickup to deliver superior power and control. It is available in two weight categories, that is medium weight and light weight, and is priced at INR 99000. Apart from that, the handle can also be modified as per an individual’s requirement. It’s up to an individual if they want round, oval or semi oval, SF got them covered! Hence, it is power packed willow, that can help one in excelling their skill at the highest level.
A lot of young players these days are seen using the player’s edition SF bats like, Priyansh Arya, Rajat Patidar, Venkatesh Iyer etc. And like we all know, they are smashing balls out of the park in every IPL game. A lot of credit for their performance goes the SF willows as they finely made as players requirements.
Credit: Stanford Cricket Bats
#4 SS Vaibhav Sooryavanshi English Willow Cricket Bat SH
Ever wondered why Vaibhav Sooryanshi’s batting looks so effortless? Here is your answer.
If you are looking for the best bat for leather ball cricket, you can count on this fine willow by SS- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi English Willow Bat SH. Named after India’s young sensation- Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the bat promises what the name holds. The willow is well balanced, ensuring crisp shots throughout your innings.
The bat comes with plenty of grains and the willow too is cream and fresh, thus ensuring longevity and solidarity of the wood. It is priced at INR 108000. The weight ranges from 1140g to 1200g, with a width of 11.43 cms. Consciously designed, the bat comes with a broad sweet spot and clean bat face for consistent stroke play.

#3 SG SM 18 English Willow bat
The SG SM 18 English Willow bat is lighter in version, most suitable for women cricketers, or players who prefer a quicker bat swing. The willow is consciously designed and is made with one of the finest willows! Priced at INR 98999, this bat delivers exceptional power, superior rebound and a classic feel. Apart from that, the imported cane handle with special formulation cork enhances flexibility and shock absorption. If you are someone who rely more on timing than on power, you can try this bat as the punch will itself carry the ball a great distance.
Credit: TeamSG
#2 SG HP 33 CLASSIC
Sold at price of INR 134999, this gun- SG HP 33 Classic, is one of the best Grade 1 English Willow Bats available in India. The bat is designed with utmost precision, optimised speed specifically for matches. Moreover, it is built with a stability focused design that allows superior balance. The handle is one of the most critical components and SG understands this. This bat is designed with a Singapore cane handle, with special 3 way insertion of cork, allowing full control, power and shock absorption. Moreover, the willow is naturally air dried and hard pressed, allowing the bar to deliver power while maintaining the shape.
Credit: TeamSG
#1 ZAP Royal Crown
Just like the name, the Royal Crown bat, ZAP cricket is a player’s edition bat that is meticulously selected from top 0.1% Grade 1 English Clefts. The semi concave profile, short handle and mid blade sweet spot, together make it a deadly combo for someone who wants to dominate at the elite level. The bat comes with a one year warranty and is sold at a price of INR 149999. The weight ranges between 1100g to 1195g, making it easy for bat to flow smoothly. The Royal Crown is placed at the zenith of the ZAP collection, as it takes nearly 120 hours to build one such gun!
The pick-up and punch are exceptional, they can make you feel good. Recently, Shashank Singh was seen playing with this bat in the IPL. He has won plenty of matches for his franchise, Punjab Kings, and now this season, he’ll be winning plenty more as he has this gun to attack the oppositions!
Credit: ZAP
Conclusion
All the above bats are among the finest willows available in the country. They all conform to MCC Law 5 batting regulations and are handmade with precision. They all have a solid punch and the ball will skyrocket once it makes an impact in the middle. You can display your skills best when you have such powerful weapons supporting you! Don’t wait, get yours now!
Also look at: The List of Best Tennis Cricket Bats
FAQs
Q: Can I get the Best Grade 1 English Willow bat under ₹50,000?
You can get a good Grade A English willow bat within INR 50000. But, Grade A+ bats are more expected.
Q: Are custom made Grade 1 English willow bats better or the readymade one?
If you want a specific weight, balance, handle type, etc, it’s better to have it custom made.
Q: Can I use my Grade 1 English Willow Bat in net sessions?
If the ball is soft and light, like those used in professional matches, then you can use your Grade 1 English willow bat in nets. Otherwise, a hard ball can damage the willow.
Q: How many grains should a good Grade 1 bat have?
Usually a Grade 1 English Willow bat has 8-12 grains.
Q: Why are Grade 1 English Willow bats so expensive?
They are made of premium quality willow, are hand selected, offering better ping, balance and durability.




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