Meet Mahidhaar — The 12-Year-Old Dubai Cricketer Who Can Bowl Fast with Both Hands
Cricket has always been a sport of passion, precision, and patience — but sometimes, it gifts the world a talent so rare that it seems almost unbelievable. Enter Mahidhaar Dommaraju, a 12-year-old prodigy from Dubai who has stunned the cricket community with his extraordinary ability to bowl fast with both hands — a skill so uncommon that even veteran coaches pause in disbelief.
While ambidextrous spin bowlers like Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis have drawn attention at the international level, a fast bowler who can seamlessly switch arms — delivering right-arm and left-arm pace with equal control and power — is nearly unheard of. Yet that’s exactly what young Mahidhaar is doing, and doing remarkably well.
A Talent Spotted Early
Mahidhaar’s story began like many young cricket dreams — inspired by the Indian Premier League. His father, Ramprasad Dommaraju, who played club cricket in Chennai, recalls the day he realized his son wasn’t just another enthusiastic youngster.
“I noticed it when he was about six or seven years old,” says Ramprasad. “He was playing tennis at the time, but after watching the IPL, he began imitating bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lockie Ferguson, and Mohammed Shami. One day, after watching Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, he suddenly picked up the ball and bowled left-arm fast — with perfect action. I couldn’t believe what I saw.”
What began as playful imitation soon revealed itself as genuine talent. Mahidhaar could not only switch arms but maintain identical pace, seam position, and control with both. “He kept practicing with both hands day after day. That’s when I realized this was something very special,” his father says.
Making Waves in Dubai’s Cricket Scene
Now 13, Mahidhaar trains with two leading academies in the UAE — Desert Cubs Cricket Academy and Legends Academy — where his ambidextrous skill has already created a buzz among coaches and players.
“Whenever he bowls, everyone just stops to watch,” says Ramprasad. “Coaches from the UK, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India have all said they’ve never seen a kid bowl fast with both arms — and with such control.”
Mahidhaar has already toured Sri Lanka, Oman, and India, impressing audiences everywhere he plays. During tournaments, when he picks up wickets bowling with both right and left arms, even rival coaches take a moment to congratulate him.
A Family’s Full Support
Behind Mahidhaar’s rise is a family that has gone all in to nurture his dream. Ramprasad made a major life decision — quitting his job to dedicate himself full-time to his son’s cricketing journey.
“I’ve left my job so that I can take him for training six days a week,” he explains. “He’s also working on fitness — doing boxing and swimming daily to build strength and stamina. It’s a demanding schedule, but he’s focused and passionate.”
To balance cricket with academics, Mahidhaar is enrolled in an online school in India, which offers flexibility for his training and travel. “The school has been very supportive,” says Ramprasad. “If he misses lessons for tournaments, they schedule extra classes. That support makes a huge difference.”
While Ramprasad manages the cricket side, Mahidhaar’s mother — an oral surgeon based in Dubai — provides steady emotional and financial support. “It’s a team effort,” he says proudly. “We’re all working together for Mahi’s dream.”
Expert Opinions and Recognition
Among those closely following Mahidhaar’s journey is Muhammad Ijaz, a former Pakistani first-class cricketer and senior coach at Desert Cubs Academy.
“He’s a hardworking boy with a very rare gift,” Ijaz says. “To bowl right-arm fast and left-arm fast — with equal pace and accuracy — is something I’ve never seen in my career. If he continues this level of dedication, he has the potential to go very far.”
Ijaz adds that while ambidextrous spinners are occasionally found in cricket, ambidextrous fast bowlers are almost non-existent. “Mahi stands out. He’s special,” he concludes.
Dreaming Big
Like many young cricketers, Mahidhaar dreams of representing India and playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) someday. “I want to play for India and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru,” he says with a smile. “My role models are Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. I’m working on my bowling, batting, and fitness every day to reach that level.”
His story has already inspired young athletes across Dubai and beyond — a reminder that with passion, persistence, and support, even the most unique dreams can take flight.
As his father puts it, “The world hasn’t seen what this boy can do yet. We’re just getting started.”
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