Cricketers are fanatic about slight details, like, the foot with which they will enter the ground, or the colour of grip they will put on the bat. It’s astonishing how they take care of every small detail to perform their best each time they step on the ground. But it’s funny to see that not many players are specific about their English Willow Bats as they are about other small details. They purchase a ready made bat and try to adjust their game as per the willow and honestly it should be the other way around. But that is not the case at elite level as all the players who play for India, get their bat customised. This is because they understand the importance of having the right bat to perform their best at the highest level. Hence, today in this blog by ZAP cricket, we share a comprehensive guide on custom made cricket bats in India, so that you can make a better choice!
Need of a Custom Made Cricket Bat
Instils confidence
When you know you are feeling good while lifting your bat, a lot of confidence is naturally instilled within you. And to perform well, you need to be filled with confidence and optimism. Hence, a customised bat can help you perform well during matches. We often say batsman saying ‘feel nahi aara’ or ‘feel bohot achha aara hai’, well, this is feel that we are talking about. It comes very organically when you pick your custom made bat.
Supreme comfort while playing
In the scorching heat, when you are chasing a high target, the last thing that you want is to be uncomfortable with your gear. Having the right size of bat with desired weight can make you comfortable and that eventually can help you in ticking the scoreboard. Hence, when all the elements are tailored correctly, the bat would feel natural. You won’t have to adjust your game as per the bat, but vice versa!
Easy to execute shots
Scoring runs won’t be a tough task if you pick the right willow for yourself. If you are a top order batsman, and your game requires you to play technical cricket and in front of the bat, you shouldn’t go for a heavy bat that is meant to be used for power hitting. Hence, by fulfilling these basic, yet important details, your execution on the field can become much easier.
Control over quality
When you get to decide each and every minute detail about your bat, you get to sit on the driver’s seat and take full control of the quality. You don’t have to sacrifice on any of your requirements and that eventually gives you full control over quality. Hence, from picking the willow to actually smashing the balls with it, everything is under your control!
Drawbacks of Ready-made Cricket Bat
Longer waiting time
Ready made bats can be bought instantly. After a few knocks, these bats are ready to play. Hence, the wait time is minimal. However, that is not the case when you buy a custom made bat. The wait time is much longer and you will literally be starting from scratch. After all the specifications are shared, some time will be taken by the craftsman to build the willow, and once that is done, the bat will undergo knocking and after all the hard work it will be ready to play. Hence, if you compare, one of the drawbacks is the longer wait time.
Can involve extra costs
Since you are consciously picking all the ingredients of your willow, it may involve some extra costs. The making of a customised bat prove to be costlier deal, but that depends from vendor to vendor. Hence, you should consider the factor of additional costs before making a decision.
What all can be picked in a Custom Cricket Bat?
Quality of wood
The quality of wood is the most important factor that decides its performance. The better the quality of wood, the better will be the punch of the bat. When a player purchases a ready made bat, they do not get the liberty to select the willow. On the other hand, when they get a customised one, they have the freedom to pick the willow and to get it moulded into a gun bat. Hence, this restriction can be avoided if you customise your own bat. Moreover, you can pick a bat by checking the crucial specifications like grain on the bat, colour of willow etc.
Handle type
Oval, semi oval, round, these are the three prominent types of handle. Other than that, handles come in two sizes, long handle, short handle. Understanding the varieties available, you can make a more informed decision while making a purchase.
The most common is a round handle. However, some players prefer an oval or semi oval handle too. The kind of handle picked depends on the comfort one gets the most from each type and that is somehow influenced by the grip and stance of a player and playing style. Like, for hitting, players prefer longer handles as it gives them a greater bat swing.
Hence, the handle of the cricket bat is a vital component that can influence the overall batting performance. And when you buy a custom made cricket bat, you have the independence to make the best choice!
Weight
One of the most detrimental factors that affect the game is the weight of the bat. Not only the weight, but also the weight in a particular area, can be customised. Some players like the weight to be evenly distributed on the willow, while others like it more on the bottom side.
Recently, in an article by Indian Express, the weights of the bats of different International cricketers was shared. For instance, MS Dhoni uses a heavy bat that weighs roughly 1270g, and Virat Kohli on the other hand, uses one below 1200g. Hence, the weight is picked as per an individual preference. Apart from this, the players pick different bats for different phases of the game, like Dhoni did. The legendary Indian captain used to switch to heavier versions during the death overs! That allowed him to smash the ball harder. Hence, that is something someone picks with experience. But, if you are a budding cricketer, who is unsure about the weight, get a customized bat and check multiple weights before making the actual purchase. This will help you in performing better on the field!
Toe shape
The shape of a bat’s toe might seem a small detail but it can, too, have a noticeable impact on performance. The common toe shapes are round toe, square toe and semi round toe. All these categories have their own boons and banes. Like, if you value smooth movement, a round toe will work, while, if you want more stability, you should go for square toe. Hence, ultimately it’s about choosing a shape that best complements your playing style. Let’s take the example of Hardik Pandya, the best all-rounder in the world. He prefers a toe that is more curved from the bottom, that keeps his bat light and allows a faster downswing, making it easier for him to smash the balls hard.
Size of the bat
Some players prefer a shorter bat while others prefer a longer one. Hence, it is better to get a custom made cricket bat as that will allow you to pick the best size as per your suitability. A bat that is too long can restrict the movement and reduce the downswing. Similarly, a bat that is too short can reduce the arc of the batsman. Hence, size of the bat plays a clinical role in determining the quality of strokes. The most common sizes are 6, harrow and full size.
Shape of the bat
The shape of the bat plays a major role in the game. For instance, the openers usually prefer a bat which is straighter in shape and doesn’t have a big curve. While, on the other hand, power hitters, who come down the order, prefer a more curved bat, so that they can elevate the ball better. Hence, the shape of the bat plays a vital role in your performance.
Now, if you are looking to get a bat customised, do consider this factor. If you are someone who plays more in the ‘V’, and someone who plays technical cricket, you should pick a bat that’s straighter. On the other hand, if you are someone who plays attacking cricket and is stronger on the square side of the wicket, invest in a curved shaped bat! These minute details can help in increasing your strike rate and hence shall be duly considered while making a
Conclusion
It is more favourable to get a customised bat made than to buy a ready made one. The benefits of a customised bat are tremendous as one gets to choose their specifications and hence that will give them greater comfort and confidence while playing. Moreover, a customised one allows players to select specific features according to their personal preferences like weight, balance, handle, etc. This level of control ensures that the bat is tailored precisely for individual requirements, which significantly enhances the individual performance/ output on the field.
However, if we look at the other side of the coin, many players buy ready to play bats from local vendors. This is because these bats are easily available, have no waiting time, and the players get to pick from a variety of options! Hence, for some people buying a ready made bat seems a more viable and sensible option. To conclude, if you are looking to invest in your new willow, consider the above mentioned benefits and drawbacks and buy accordingly. Because eventually, the bottom line is how comfortable you are while calculating your game in the middle, and ultimately it’s on you, how you extract your game! After all, some people prefer a buffet while others go for an A-la Carte, it’s just the same!
Also check: How to pick the right cricket bat?
FAQ’s
Q: Are customised bats more expensive?
The price of the bat depends on the quality of willow. Hence, a customized bat can only be expensive if you are using a high grade willow.
Q: How do I pick the right willow for my customised bat?
Check the number of grains, the colour of wood etc.
Q: Does customisation include extra making charges?
Customization often involves the extra costs for specialised shape, weight adjustment etc.
Q: Does customisation enhance performance?
A customized bat can enhance the performance, if made properly
Q: Should beginners opt for customisation?
It’s a choice, they can opt.
Q: Are customised bats knocked-in?
Yes, they are ready to play as the bat is knocked with a machine before selling it to the buyer.
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