de Villiers weighs in on Shakib ’s strap technique

Kanpur Sep 29: Shakib Al Hasan’s unconventional technique of biting his helmet strap while batting during the Test match against India has sparked widespread curiosity and discussion. Shakib, when asked about this peculiar approach, revealed that it helps him feel more comfortable at the crease. The Bangladeshi all-rounder has been grappling with an eye issue for some time, which previously led to adjustments in his batting stance. Now, in the Chennai Test, his decision to bite the helmet strap is part of his effort to maintain better balance at the crease.
Former South African cricket legend AB de Villiers also weighed in on Shakib’s unusual technique in a recent video shared on his YouTube channel. De Villiers drew parallels between Shakib’s situation and his own experience with an eye problem towards the end of his career.
“Shakib Al Hasan, playing against India in the Test match, was seen biting on a strap while batting. I can sort of relate to that,” de Villiers said. “He explained that it’s because of an eye issue, which I also dealt with towards the back end of my career.
“I never really struggled with balance except for one thing—throughout my entire career, even before my eye issue, I always tried to get my chin as close as possible to my left shoulder. These things work in tandem so that I don’t lose my balance. When the head becomes disjointed from the rest of the body, it’s easy to fall over. In Shakib’s case, as a left-hander, he’s likely doing it to prevent falling to that side and to maintain balance, which he says is related to the eye problem,” de Villiers explained. (Agencies)