The Mongoose bat marks the single most radical change to cricket equipment since 1771. It caught the attention of the cricket world during the 2009 IPL. That is when Matthew Hayden used it with such gusto and success that very soon cricket players the world over wanted to have a Mongoose bat.

So, what exactly is so attention-grabbing about this bat?

The first thing that strikes you when you see it is that it looks different. Very different. The Mongoose bat has a shorter blade and a longer handle than traditional cricket bats. It also has chunky edges.

There are two basic models of the Mongoose bat: one with the radically shortened blade, and the other one with a longer blade (but still shorter than in conventional bats). Both models feature another big design leap (besides shortening the blade and lengthening the handle): the splice is buried in the handle, rather than in the blade. The result is the absence of a "bad spot": in Mongoose bats, the entire surface of the blade is the "sweet spot". After you get over how unusual it looks, the second thing that strikes you about Mongoose bats is their quality. They are fashioned from top-quality willow and are made to the highest of standards.

All of the above translates into increased power, faster bat speed and better manoeuvrability. According to tests, the Mongoose will now offer batsmen the potential of 20% more power and 15% more bat speed than a conventional bat.

With a Mongoose bat, you as the batsman can select your shot later, or even change it in a split second, putting you at a crucial advantage over the bowler.

Even though it looks so different, a Mongoose bat weighs the same as a conventional bat and feels pretty much the same. Close your eyes and the chances are you won't feel any difference. This makes the transition very easy and pain-free: you can use the new, revolutionary bat without changing your style or technique.

Simply hold the bat in the same way you would hold any bat. Play shots you would play with any bat. You only need to get used to the extra power that allows you to hit balls harder, later in the shot.

True, a Mongoose bat by itself will not make a cricket pro out of you. But, if you have the skills, the Mongoose will maximise your runs better than any other bat.

The bat is approved by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to be used in every level of the game, worldwide. So just enjoy the added power and the bigger sweet spot. In spite of its radical design, the MCC Laws sub-committee has confirmed that the patent-pending Mongoose bat is legal and is allowed to be used in all levels of cricket. Because it can be lighter in weight while still offering great power, the Mongoose can be used by players of all abilities as well as juniors.