Cricket, known for its rich history and diverse range of shots, is a sport that combines skill, technique, and creativity.
Cricket shots are an integral part of a batter’s arsenal, enabling them to score runs and manipulate field placements strategically. These shots showcase the elegance, power, and adaptability required to excel at the crease.
In this article, we will explore both the traditional shots that have stood the test of time and the modern-day marvels that have added a touch of innovation to the game.
Traditional Cricket Shots
1. Straight Drive
The straight drive, the epitome of elegance, involves a batter using a straight bat to strike the ball down the ground. When executed well, the batter powers the ball right past the umpire towards the sight screen. Think of the masterful technique of Sachin Tendulkar, who effortlessly executed this shot with finesse.
2. Cover Drive
This shot is quite similar to the straight drive. However, the batter plays it between the straight and square regions on the off-side. The cover drive, played with grace and timing, sees the batter drive the ball with a straight bat through the covers. India’s Virat Kohli plays some elegant cover drives.
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Cover Drive: Strength or Weakness?
3. Square Drive
With a touch of controlled aggression, the square drive involves the batter hitting the ball square on the off side. This is a bit more of a risky and attacking shot that heads between the backward point and cover. Rahul Dravid, known for his textbook technique, executed this shot with precision and poise.
4. Leg Glance
The leg glance is a wristy flick played by the batter to divert the ball to the leg side. The batter can play the leg glance on the front foot or back foot, deflecting the ball towards the square leg or fine leg.
5. Sweep
Batters play the sweep shot against spinners on turning tracks. The batter kneels on his back foot and hits the ball with a horizontal bat. They use a sweeping motion to hit the ball pitched on or outside the leg stump towards the square leg. AB de Villiers and Andy Flower demonstrated their mastery of this shot
6. Cut
Executed with a horizontal bat, the cut shot involves the batter hitting a short-pitched ball outside the off stump. Batters play this shot right through the straight line of the pitch. Ricky Ponting, known for his aggressive style, unleashed powerful cut shots with precision.
7. Late Cut
The late cut is a delicate stroke played with a horizontal bat. The batters guide the ball past the wicketkeeper towards the third-man region. However, perfect execution of this shot is necessary, as any miscalculation can lead to a wicket. The stylish strokeplay of Mahela Jayawardene often included delightful late cuts.
8. Pull Shot
Batters execute the pull shot with brute force. The pull involves the batter forcefully hitting a short-pitched ball between deep fine leg and deep midwicket. Viv Richards played some thunderous pull shots, while Rohit Sharma is one of the best in the modern era.
9. Hook Shot
Like the pull shot, the hook shot is played when facing short-pitched deliveries. Batters dispatch a well-executed shot behind the square leg for a boundary or a six.
Modern-Day Cricket Shots
1. Upper Cut
The upper cut involves the batter lifting the ball deliberately over the slips using the pace of the delivery. Batters play this shot on the back foot against short balls pitched outside the off stump. Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma are brilliant players of this shot.
2. Switch Hit
Switch Hit is a shot that tests the boundaries of innovation. This particular shot sees the batter changing their stance mid-delivery to confuse the bowler and manipulate the field. For instance, a right-hander turns into a left-hander and vice versa. Kevin Petersen and David Warner played switch hits most effectively
3. Dilscoop
Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan invented this innovative shot. The Dilscoop involves the batter using a low stance to scoop the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head. Dilshan’s invention added a touch of unpredictability to batting.
4. Reverse Scoop
A shot that defies conventional cricketing norms, the reverse scoop involves the batter playing a scoop shot with a reversed grip. The ball rushes towards the fine leg or third-man region for a boundary. Cricket’s Mr. 360°, AB de Villiers, played this shot effortlessly.
5. Paddle Scoop
The paddle scoop invented by Zimbabwe cricketer Doug Marillier is also known as the Marillier Shot. This scoop involves the batter using the flick of the wrists to scoop the ball over the fielders on the leg side.
6. Periscope
A recently emerging shot, the periscope, involves the batter lifting the bat perpendicular to the ground while taking a wide stance, resembling a periscope. Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar plays this shot effectively to counter the bouncers.
7. Helicopter Shot
Now this shot doesn’t need much introduction. MS Dhoni made this stroke famous. The helicopter shot involves the batter flicking the ball powerfully with a strong bottom hand, generating immense power, and sending the ball sailing into the stands.
Other Cricket Shots
1. Off Drive
The off drive is a classic shot played with a straight bat, driving the ball elegantly towards the mid-off and long-off sides. Players like Kumar Sangakkara and Joe Root have displayed their mastery of this shot, combining technique and timing to perfection.
2. On Drive
This is the exact opposite of off drive. The on drive involves the batter hitting the ball along the ground towards the mid-on and long-on regions. Players like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson highlight their stylish strokeplay through their superb on drives.
3. Back Foot Drive
The back foot drive is played by transferring weight onto the back foot and driving the ball with precision and power. The batters smash the short delivery pitching outside the off stump towards mid-on and cover.
4. Reverse Sweep
The reverse sweep sees the batter switch their hands on the bat to play a sweep shot in the opposite direction. This shot is the opposite of the conventional sweep shot. England’s Eoin Morgan had perfected this shot, adding an element of surprise to his batting.
5. Slog Sweep
The slog sweep is a powerful shot played against spinners. The batters hit the ball with force over midwicket or long-on with the intention of scoring a boundary. The West Indies’ Chris Gayle is renowned for his ability to launch colossal slog sweeps into the stands.
6. Square Cut
Batters play the square cut with a horizontal bat, hitting the ball square on the off side. They punish a short ball pitched outside the off stump with power and timing between the backward point and extra cover.
7. Ramp Shot
The batters deflect a chest-height short ball or full toss with soft hands behind the square to make it look like a ramp. They rely on the pace of the ball to effectively play the ramp shot. Sometimes, this shot can even fetch a boundary or a sixer. Players like AB de Villiers and Jos Buttler play these kinds of wild shots.
These shots, among others, add depth to a batsman’s repertoire. This showcases their ability to adapt to different situations and bowlers. Each shot requires a unique combination of skill, timing, and innovation. As the game continues to evolve, the range of shots will expand, ensuring that cricket remains a captivating spectacle for fans worldwide.
Read Next: The Cricket Fielding Positions – Explained
Good this made me learn my new shots as you know kajju shot where it involves the helicopter shot with hook shot.