Get ready to grab yourself your own personal bespoke bat! Z Bat makes use of scientific algorithms and sensor-based technology findings to provide you with the bat meant just for you. With ‘Body Meets Balance’ as their motto, these bats can change the dynamics for casual or serious players while giving them the upper hand on the deceptive bowlers. Founders, Harshal Shah and Samir Shah, are cricket fanatics and have their certification as bat experts from Australia.
“The sensor gives comparison analytics for the dynamics which we generate through our online questionnaire and the findings of the trial based on the bat swing, bat speed, power generated from the shots and the speed of impact. So, in short, it aids to the findings we generate to create accuracy of the right bat and thereby help to derive the right balance for each and every batsman who come to us,” say the founders.
Stressing on the importance of pitch conditions for selecting the right bat, Harshal says, “It surely plays an important role in framing the balance of the right cricket bat. Playing in Asian countries and batting overseas are two different things. With the high bounce overseas the game style changes — horizontal bat shots work better and hence sweet spot needs to be higher compared to the Asian subcontinent where the sweet spots are usually at the bottom to make the bat work better.”
How can Z Bat help avoid injury? “When it comes to a cricket bat, not choosing the right one may lead you to a lot of injuries related to the elbow, shoulder, and back. It is important to maintain the right balance that helps your game and therefore helps you to take the correct follow-through after every cricketing shot. We also watch and identify the stress points in your body posture while you bat during your trials and guide you to find the right balance and avoid impending injuries,” says Samir.
People interested in getting themselves a bespoke bat have to log on to their website (Z-Bat.com) and fill a questionnaire, which allows them to get an understanding of what kind of a batsman you are. “Based on the weight, height, and stance the system throws three bats online for the applicant, following which one has to come to the Z Bat Clinic for a trial. This experiential process takes around 45 minutes where the applicant’s right body balance is identified. After the trial, a report of batting style is shared identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the bat being used and which one of them is the best fit,” adds Samir.
The founders of Z Bat had to tackle confidentiality and exclusivity hurdle during the initial days. A standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) was signed with the bat makers. Owing to the uniqueness in the product offerings and execution, combined with their 25 years of playing experience, they were able to accurately understand the player’s problems. “So more than the idea it is the implementation that makes the concept challenging yet worthwhile and meaningful,” says Harshal.
Speaking of the Make in India initiative, Samir says, “While we initiated the idea, we wanted to incorporate everything that is part of the Make in India concept and that is what prompted us to tie up with the Skilled Institute of India and get carpenters to come and join us. At our end, we have taught them to become professional bat makers and how they can refurbish the bats in no time. This initiative has opened a new avenue for the pass-outs of such institutes. We have also hired bat scientists who are sports management institute alumni who now passionately explain the dynamics of achieving the right balance to Z-Bat Clinics visitors.”
Z Bat is set to extend its footprints within India and globally, starting with a couple of more outlets within Mumbai and the suburbs. If an applicant’s Z Bat is broken or cracked, do not fret as these bats are repaired scientifically. “We have introduced specialised and latest scientific techniques to repair a bat and not only so, we have also ensured the balance of the bat is not changed while we refurbish them. And most importantly we do not use threading which is a common practice in India; instead, we use BAT WAX to get the right shine without increasing the bat weight, which is crucial for attaining stable balance,” says Samir.
“In the last two years, I have been the top five run-getter for my team and there has been absolute consistency. I also find my shot selection and approach to the game better with time since I have found my right balance amalgamated with confidence,” says Harshal.
