In the hands of top bowlers, a cricket ball can hit anywhere from 120 kmph to over 150 kmph. Javagal Srinath . . . Ishant Sharma . . . Ajit Agarkar . . . Zaheer Khan . . . and Ashish Nehra are some of India's fastest.

If you were facing a bowler like any of the gentlemen named above, a good pair of batting leg guards is simply common sense. A cricket ball crashing into your knee or shin at even 60 kmph can be nasty. A serious injury can end a batsman's career even before it begins.

So, how do you choose the right batting leg guards?

Buy the leg guard that's of the right size. Bigger is not better. A leg guard that's a size or two too big for you can interfere with your mobility and game. And it may not even offer the right protection. When you try on a leg guard, make sure the centre of the leg guard's knee roll is where the centre of your knee is—it should not be too high or too low. Remember, a good pair of batting leg guards is well worth the price you pay for it.